Our History

The Hol Chan Marine Reserve (HCMR) is an IUCN Category VI Reserve, originally located four miles southeast of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, and was the first marine reserve to be declared in Belize as a multi-use protected area. Declaration was made in July 1987 in accordance with Section 7 of the Fisheries (Amendment Act) of 1983, in response to concerns over destructive fishing and diving at the site. The particular geomorphology of the channel in the area, coupled to the abundant fishery resources and interconnected coral reef, seagrass beds and mangrove ecosystems provided additional justification and persuasion for the designation of the site as a marine reserve. Consistent with the Fisheries Act, the HCMR was established “to ensure, increase and sustain the productive service and integrity of the marine resources for the benefit of all Belizeans of present and future generations”.

In 1999 the HCMR saw the addition of a General Use Area and two Exclusive Recreation Areas, the latter two being Shark Ray Alley and Amigos del Mar Dive Wreck. In an effort to increase protection of critical coral reef habitats in the buffer zone of the reserve, the Government of Belize expanded the Hol Chan Marine Reserve on February 17, 2016 to include three new areas: Mexico Rocks snorkel and dive site area; the mangrove wetland area including the Mata and Frances Lagoon; and the shoals that include Los Bajos and Los Salones. This recent expansion has made the reserve about 25 times bigger than its original size at time of declaration in 1987, and reconfirms the strategic position of the HCMR in consolidating marine conservation and ecosystem protection efforts in the Northern Belize Barrier Reef complex. The HCMR is now 103,058 acres or 41,706 hectares (Wildtracks, 2019).

Our Mission

To maintain a sample coral reef ecosystem in its natural state, restoring the earlier beauty of the Hol Chan area. To preserve areas of critical habitat for several endangered species such as the reef and turtle grass beds for turtles and the mangrove areas for manatees and regulate the use of the area by tourists and fishermen to prevent its over exploitation.

To provide recreational and tourism services while preserving the value of the area for sustainable fisheries. To provide an undisturbed area for tourism and recreation, but in a controlled and well-informed manner. To promote use that is compatible with conservation and sustainable development objectives, primarily through zoning, providing protected habitat for commercially important species.

To provide an area for education and research, fostering general interest in and knowledge of the coastal environment through education and interpretative programs. To encourage scientific research in all sections of the reserve.

To conserve genetic resources, providing an undisturbed area which will result in increased recruitment to the fisheries of the adjacent areas. To conserve an ecosystem i.e., mangroves, turtle grass beds and coral reef, which is representative of the reef complex and which functions as an ecological entity.