The purpose of this study was to determine how manatees use Swallow Caye, Drowned
Cayes, and Gallows Reef, three distinct habitat types within the Belize Barrier Reef
lagoon system near Belize City. Data were collected using boat-based point scan
methods with the assistance of volunteers. Presence/absence and photo ID methods
ensured consistency of data collection despite a changing pool of volunteer researchers.
Results confirmed the mangrove and seagrass ecosystem between the Belize Barrier
Reef and Belize City as important manatee habitat. Inconsistent with the prevailing
"seasonal distribution hypothesis" for manatees in Belize, the probability of
encountering manatees at Swallow Caye and in the Drowned Cayes was equal between
dry and wet seasons. However, manatees were only observed at Gallows Reef during
the wet season. Swallow Caye had the highest probability of encountering manatees,
confirming traditional knowledge held by local tour operators, which led to the
establishment of Swallow Caye Wildlife Sanctuary in 2002. In contrast to previous
studies, my data suggest that at least 44% of the manatee population carry scars from
non-lethal boat strikes. The proportion of scarred animals did not vary as a function of
habitat type, season, or year. The probability of encountering manatees did not change between years, despite an exponential increase in cruise ship tourism. Marine Protected
Areas (MPAs) and wildlife protection laws indicate that Belize is working to meet
obligations under international agreements. However, there is still cause for concern.
Manatees do not remain inside designated refuge boundaries; governmental agencies
depend on co-management agreements with local non-governmental organizations for
enforcement of rules inside MPAs; regulations governing human behavior outside MPAs
are lacking; funds for monitoring and evaluation of MPAs are lacking. Manatee
conservation strategies should be integrated into a system of riverine, coastal, and
marine protected areas supported by additional tactics such as required manatee training
for boat captains, slow zones at hot spots outside MPAs, and continued educational
outreach. With few modifications and increased enforcement and monitoring, the Belize
model for manatee conservation could lead to a shared "triumph on the commons" for
the manatees and the user groups that shared their habitat
