Improving Management of TAMR through Technological Solutions

Grantee:

Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association (TASA)

Location:

Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve (TAMR)

Thematic Area:

Protection For Biodiversity

Timeframe:

April 2023 – March 2025

Funds from Belize Fund ($BZD):

$831,788.00

Co-financing ($BZD):

$552,902.00

Project Goal:

To advance the protection of biodiversity and contribute to sustainable fisheries in the Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve.

Project Objectives:

  1. To develop and test an integrated digital solution to enhance enforcement in TAMR by the end of the project.
  2. To transition to a digital solution for scientific data collection and analysis and assess fisheries and reef health using data collected through the digital solution by the end of the project.
  3. To develop and test digital tools to improve communication, education and outreach, and income diversification programs in stakeholder communities by the end of the project.
  4. To develop and implement (digital) spatial monitoring and reporting modules for enhanced visitor management to Turneffe.

Expected Outputs:

  1. Integrated enforcement plan using technology solution developed and implemented.
  2. A new digital application that integrates all of TASA’s digital solutions in one place is created.
  3. TASA’s Conservation Officers and other MPA enforcement officers’ trained.
  4. Enforcement data to test and redesign digital applications for enhancement.
  5. Command centers for enforcement established.
  6. Digital solution finalized and approved for collecting and analyzing data.
  7. Commercial and herbivorous fish species monitored.
  8. Reef Health Index measured for TAMR and a database created with a new digital solution.
  9. Commercial fish, herbivorous fish and fish spawning aggregation data analyzed.
  10. Stakeholder’s knowledge of TASA’s work increased.
  11. Fishers have increased the management effectiveness of their businesses using digital solutions.
  12. Digital solution developed to assist with visitor management and marketing.
  13. Visitation trends in Turneffe ascertained by site.
  14. Marketing needs/targets established and prioritized.