Abstract

The management of Marine Protected Areas (MPA's) involves the application of a wide range of strategies that aim to create a balance between people and the environment. Along with securing long-term sustainable funding, the next biggest challenge is working with stakeholders that have direct positive and negative impacts on the resources within the MPA. One such important stakeholder group is fishers who depend on the resources within the Lighthouse Reef Atoll (LHRA) and MPA to support their livelihoods. Despite working in the fishing communities of Chunox, Copper Bank and Sarteneja, for more than 20 years through various programs, projects and communication mediums, the Belize Audubon Society (BAS) has seen that changing perceptions, fishing practices and influencing livelihoods of fishers takes several generations. Over the last five years, key factors identified between the MPA managers and the fishers due to their fishing practices was the communication gap and meeting fatigue in the villages. These traditional fishers of LHRA and by extension Blue Hole Natural Monument and Half Moon Caye Natural Monuments use sailboats and stay at sea for 5-10 days per trip. Taking this into account, BAS pioneered and embarked on a new strategy called the "Boat to Boat" outreach, to maximize the number of fishers engaged in Community Outreach efforts. This approach has helped to increase the number of fishers that are engaged, increased the amount of valuable information obtained from fishers, builds trust which ultimately assists with enforcement efforts, allow for hands-on interaction between fishers and MPA managers, and sharing research and monitor-ing findings. In addition, it also provides a gateway for strengthening of relationships between these two groups that are vital to the successful management of MPAs.

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