Marine Protected Area - Mesoamerican Reef

Background

While over 70 marine and coastal protected areas exist in the Mesoamerican Reef (MAR) region, few are fully protected from fishing, limiting their ability to restore fish stocks and support sustainable fisheries. Fish Replenishment Zones (), or No-Take Areas, have proven effective in enhancing fish populations, benefiting nearby fisheries, and improving reef resilience.

All MAR countries have institutional frameworks for establishing FRZ and have taken steps to protect reefs through MPAs or FRZ. While governments have authority over the formal establishment of FRZ, community-led approaches, involving local fisherfolk, have been effective at protecting fish stocks for the long-term. In addition, growing interest among MAR fishers reflects a rising awareness of FRZ benefits, making it a promising tool for further expansion in the region.

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PROCARIBE+ Intervention:

The PROCARIBE+ Project, in collaboration with MAR Fund, will support the creation of new, and/or effective management of Fish Replenishment Zones (FRZ) in Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras, contributing to PROCARIBE+ Project target to effectively implement at least 100 km² of new FRZ. Through a Small Grants process, fisherfolk associations, marine protected area practitioners, and other organizations will receive funding to support the designation and management of FRZ with MAR Fund providing technical assistance and expert advice throughout the process. Selected projects will need to meet key success conditions and focus on protecting strategically important marine areas that will support fish replenishment. All efforts will align with national regulations and build on regional expertise in FRZ management.

As PROCARIBE+ also supports the Dominican Republic in establishing FRZ, MAR Fund will facilitate an experience-sharing workshop between Dominican authorities and fisherfolk and their peers in the MAR region. 

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Key Activities:

The PROCARIBE+ Project will focus its work on FRZ in the MAR region on: 

• Conducting technical studies on the ecological, economic, and social conditions of proposed FRZ
• Establishing governance and management frameworks
• Designing surveillance and enforcement strategies
• Providing capacity-building and awareness programs for fishers and local communities
• Installing markers to delineate new or expanded FRZ

Other activities led by MAR Fund will encompass raising awareness on the importance of FRZ for fisheries restoration through five webinars organized in collaboration with local organizations and the dissemination of communication materials. 

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Anticipated Benefits of the FRZ Processes:

The establishment and/or management of existing FRZ in the MAR region will contribute to the recovery of fisheries and biodiversity. By allowing targeted fish species to grow larger and reproduce more, FRZ will help replenish fish stocks and enhance catches in adjacent fishing areas. Additionally, these protected zones will support overall reef health and resilience, strengthening marine ecosystems and ensuring long-term sustainability for both biodiversity and local livelihoods in Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras.

Furthermore, the peer-to-peer exchange between MAR and the Dominican Republic, promoting learning, best practices, and knowledge transfer, will refine and strengthen FRZ activities conducted under PROCARIBE+ and enhance broader efforts across the region.