Over 3,000 acres of ocean around Little Water Caye Island in south-east Belize is to be set aside as sanctuary for whale sharks.

The area is known to divers as the only predictable gathering point for whale sharks, and is an important breeding ground for many species of reef fish.

The protected area is being set up by a Friends of Nature, a Belize-based conservation organisation, funded by Conservation International. Dr Sylvia Earle is Executive Director of Conservation International's Global Marine Programme, and she welcomed the establishment of the sanctuary as a way of protecting not just the whale sharks but also an important area for biodiversity "As we hear stories about the precipitous declines of fish populations around the world it becomes even more critical to protect these unique places." She said.

The marine sanctuary was set up by purchasing a majority share of Little Water Caye Island, and the plan is to work with local communities to develop a sustainable income from eco-friendly tourism. This is good news for divers, making it possible to visit the whale sharks with operators who are committed to avoiding causing disturbance to the creatures; while the income from this activity is being used to manage the protection of the marine environment.

"The local communities that founded Friends of Nature were the first to discover the rare whale sharks that congregate in the area and became determined to protect them. By promoting marine education in the local schools and supporting eco-friendly tourism, they have set an example for how conservation, local communities and responsible travel can work in harmony to save the marine environment." Explained Costas Christ, Senior Director of Conservation International's Ecotourism Programme.


Related links
Conservation International website
Swimming with Sharks
British whales and dolpins - an optimist's guide
Diving with whales in French Polynesia
Diving with killer whales in New Zealand
Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society

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