The Gulf of Honduras
25
1.3.4 Mid Lagoon Cays
The cays at the outer edge of Port Honduras have sand beaches and are
surrounded by fringing coral reefs that have characteristics of both inshore coastal and offshore barrier reef environments (Stoddart et al.
1982). The presence of about 45 species and subspecies of hard corals
within the Snake Cays (A. Harborn, pers. comm.) indicate that these reefs
are dominated by common reef building species, such as Montastrea
annularis and Diploria strigosa. These corals do not tolerate the low salinity and high sediment of inshore environments. However, in addition,
three species of coral were identified that have not been documented
along the barrier reef ( Oculina diffusa, 0. varicosa, and Solenastrea bournoni), but which are common on inshore reefs. The mid-lagoon cays harbor fish fauna of the offshore barrier reef but serve as a mid-point for
many fish during their ontogenetic migration from inshore to offshore
reefs, thus fish diversity is exceptional. Within the reefs of the Snake Cays,
118 species of fish (without cryptic blennies and gobies) were listed,
notably the blue hamlet Hypoplecturs gemma, which previously was not
known to exist outside of the Florida Cays (A. Harborn, pers. comm.). The
Port Honduras basin harbors an abundance of commercially harvested
species and is heavily fished for lobster (Panularis argus), conch (Strombus gigas), and finfish. The finfish include jewfish (Epiniphelus itajara),
lane snapper (Lutjanus syngaris), mutton snapper (L. anal is), snook ( Centropomus undecimalis), barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda), tarpon (Megalops atlanticus), jacks (Carangidae), mackerel (Scombridae), grunts
(Pomadasyidae), groupers (Serranidae), and other snappers (Lutjanidae).
Although the mid-lagoon location is responsible for high biodiversity and
productivity, it also renders these cays vulnerable to upland processes.
During a 1997 coral bleaching event, as much as 80% of the live corals in
less than 2m depth were killed, when surface water temperature reached
31 °C and the salinity reached 18.
1.3.5 Barrier Reef
The Belize barrier reef is separated from Port Honduras by the 40-kmwide and up to 60-m-deep barrier reef lagoon, which is dominated by carbonate bottom sediment (Fig. 1.3H). The fauna is concentrated in shallow
(S-20m depth) bank areas that provide substrate for coral and gorgonian
reefs, and seagrass beds. The Belize barrier reef is the largest reef tract in
the Western Hemisphere and has been declared as a World Heritage Site.
25
1.3.4 Mid Lagoon Cays
The cays at the outer edge of Port Honduras have sand beaches and are
surrounded by fringing coral reefs that have characteristics of both inshore coastal and offshore barrier reef environments (Stoddart et al.
1982). The presence of about 45 species and subspecies of hard corals
within the Snake Cays (A. Harborn, pers. comm.) indicate that these reefs
are dominated by common reef building species, such as Montastrea
annularis and Diploria strigosa. These corals do not tolerate the low salinity and high sediment of inshore environments. However, in addition,
three species of coral were identified that have not been documented
along the barrier reef ( Oculina diffusa, 0. varicosa, and Solenastrea bournoni), but which are common on inshore reefs. The mid-lagoon cays harbor fish fauna of the offshore barrier reef but serve as a mid-point for
many fish during their ontogenetic migration from inshore to offshore
reefs, thus fish diversity is exceptional. Within the reefs of the Snake Cays,
118 species of fish (without cryptic blennies and gobies) were listed,
notably the blue hamlet Hypoplecturs gemma, which previously was not
known to exist outside of the Florida Cays (A. Harborn, pers. comm.). The
Port Honduras basin harbors an abundance of commercially harvested
species and is heavily fished for lobster (Panularis argus), conch (Strombus gigas), and finfish. The finfish include jewfish (Epiniphelus itajara),
lane snapper (Lutjanus syngaris), mutton snapper (L. anal is), snook ( Centropomus undecimalis), barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda), tarpon (Megalops atlanticus), jacks (Carangidae), mackerel (Scombridae), grunts
(Pomadasyidae), groupers (Serranidae), and other snappers (Lutjanidae).
Although the mid-lagoon location is responsible for high biodiversity and
productivity, it also renders these cays vulnerable to upland processes.
During a 1997 coral bleaching event, as much as 80% of the live corals in
less than 2m depth were killed, when surface water temperature reached
31 °C and the salinity reached 18.
1.3.5 Barrier Reef
The Belize barrier reef is separated from Port Honduras by the 40-kmwide and up to 60-m-deep barrier reef lagoon, which is dominated by carbonate bottom sediment (Fig. 1.3H). The fauna is concentrated in shallow
(S-20m depth) bank areas that provide substrate for coral and gorgonian
reefs, and seagrass beds. The Belize barrier reef is the largest reef tract in
the Western Hemisphere and has been declared as a World Heritage Site.