28
W.D. Heyman and B. Kjerfve
The close proximity of all major Caribbean coastal and marine habitats in the Gulf of Honduras and their rich biological diversity warrants
an enormous potential for a developing ecotourism industry. Tourism in
the Gulf region has been increasing steadily, and forms an important
component of the economy of Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras. In Belize,
22% of the gross domestic product (GDP) results from tourism (Heyman
1996). Many visitors to the region are ecotourists who come to experience
natural environments and intact native cultures. On the Atlantic coast of
Guatemala, tourist arrivals were estimated at 90,000 individuals during
1996 by the national tourism authority (INGUAT) who also estimated that
tourism will double in the coming decade. In Belize, tourism represents
the largest sector of the economy, and the Government has embraced the
concept of ecotourism which has become a paradigm for national development.
1.5 Marine-Protected Areas
Each country bordering the Gulf of Honduras has acknowledged the
importance of the coastal and marine ecosystems and has designated
coastal protected areas. These nationally developed reserves can be viewed
as a system of coastal and marine reserves which contribute to the health
of the entire ecosystem. The reserves are generally based on a multiple-use
concept, and are designed for biodiversity conservation, tourism, and limited sustainable use by local communities. In fact, marine reserves are becoming increasingly popular as people begin to realize the benefits to surrounding fisheries and ecotourism development.
The oldest (1989), functional marine reserve is the Parque Nacional
Janette Kawas in Punta Sal, Honduras (Fig. 1.1 ), which contains a system of
lagoons and estuaries, high coastal ridges, sandy beaches, sea grasses, and
nearshore coral reefs. Both the wetlands of Punta Sal and Punta Izopo to
the east of Punta Sal are of international significance and have been declared as RAMSAR sites. A significant portion of the coastal and marine area
in Guatemala at Punta Manabique was declared as a new preserve in May
1999 (Fig. 1.1). The reserve includes the Bahia Graciosas with contains the
Gulf's largest sea grass beds and harbors dolphin, manatee, and juvenile
fish of many species. Local fishermen have suggested that the bay be completely closed to fishing, to protect the area as an important spawning and
nursery ground for commercially important species (FUNDAECO 1998).
The Chac6n-Machacas Reserve and the Rio Dulce National Park of the Rio
Dulce watershed in Guatemala (Fig. 1.1) were designated as a reserve since
W.D. Heyman and B. Kjerfve
The close proximity of all major Caribbean coastal and marine habitats in the Gulf of Honduras and their rich biological diversity warrants
an enormous potential for a developing ecotourism industry. Tourism in
the Gulf region has been increasing steadily, and forms an important
component of the economy of Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras. In Belize,
22% of the gross domestic product (GDP) results from tourism (Heyman
1996). Many visitors to the region are ecotourists who come to experience
natural environments and intact native cultures. On the Atlantic coast of
Guatemala, tourist arrivals were estimated at 90,000 individuals during
1996 by the national tourism authority (INGUAT) who also estimated that
tourism will double in the coming decade. In Belize, tourism represents
the largest sector of the economy, and the Government has embraced the
concept of ecotourism which has become a paradigm for national development.
1.5 Marine-Protected Areas
Each country bordering the Gulf of Honduras has acknowledged the
importance of the coastal and marine ecosystems and has designated
coastal protected areas. These nationally developed reserves can be viewed
as a system of coastal and marine reserves which contribute to the health
of the entire ecosystem. The reserves are generally based on a multiple-use
concept, and are designed for biodiversity conservation, tourism, and limited sustainable use by local communities. In fact, marine reserves are becoming increasingly popular as people begin to realize the benefits to surrounding fisheries and ecotourism development.
The oldest (1989), functional marine reserve is the Parque Nacional
Janette Kawas in Punta Sal, Honduras (Fig. 1.1 ), which contains a system of
lagoons and estuaries, high coastal ridges, sandy beaches, sea grasses, and
nearshore coral reefs. Both the wetlands of Punta Sal and Punta Izopo to
the east of Punta Sal are of international significance and have been declared as RAMSAR sites. A significant portion of the coastal and marine area
in Guatemala at Punta Manabique was declared as a new preserve in May
1999 (Fig. 1.1). The reserve includes the Bahia Graciosas with contains the
Gulf's largest sea grass beds and harbors dolphin, manatee, and juvenile
fish of many species. Local fishermen have suggested that the bay be completely closed to fishing, to protect the area as an important spawning and
nursery ground for commercially important species (FUNDAECO 1998).
The Chac6n-Machacas Reserve and the Rio Dulce National Park of the Rio
Dulce watershed in Guatemala (Fig. 1.1) were designated as a reserve since