| In 1993, Belize established a marine reserve at Glover's Reef, a coral atoll located 45 kilometers offshore. Intended to help rebuild stocks of Caribbean spiny lobster and other fished species, the reserve covers 74 square kilometers of coral reef, seagrass, and mangrove habitats. Consistent enforcement of the reserve began in 1998, when densities of lobster were similar inside and outside of the reserve. Only 3 years later, the reserve had triple the density of lobsters outside. Individual lobsters also grew bigger inside the reserve. By 2001, their total biomass -- the combined weight of all individuals -- was 45 times greater in the reserve than outside. |
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| A reef in the Jardines de la Reina Marine Reserve, Cuba. Photo: Enric Sala |
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| In 1996, the Cuban government created a 130-kilometer-long marine reserve at the Jardines de la Reina archipelago. Studies show that Jardines de la Reina contains one of the healthiest reef fish communities in the entire Caribbean, hosting abundant sharks and other large predatory fish such as Nassau grouper. Several years after protection, total fish biomass was more than 3 times higher inside the reserve than outside. Sharks, large groupers and snappers, and other top predators had the biggest increases in abundance and body size. These species are some of the most important targets for fisheries in the region. Their biomass was 10 times greater inside the reserve than in non-reserve areas. |
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| An aerial view of Glover's Reef, Belize. Photo: Sergio Hoare |
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This graphic shows the differences in lobster biomass observed inside (green bars) and outside (blue bars) the marine reserves at Glovers Reef, Belize, and Jardines de la Reina, Cuba.
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Visit the website of the Partnership for Interdisciplinary Studies of Coastal Oceans to learn more about the Science of Marine Reserves. 
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