Belize Reef 365 recognizes the important of a healthy ocean to support the livelihoods of many.  Launched in 2008 in celebration of Year of the Reef as Reef Rally, the program was created to document unique observations of marine life observed on the Belize Barrier Reef and to document whales migrating between Turneffe and Lighthouse Atolls. With the new technology in smart phones it's more easy document these rare sightings and submit your report!  
There are two ways to participate:
1.  Submit unique marine life observation
​Use for one time observations of rare ocean marine life.
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2. Submit report of your observations on your trip to sea.
Read on below for more details on what types of sea life to include in your report.
A visit to a coral reef to observe the different types of marine life encountered is an amazing opportunity and one that should not be taken for granted!  Many people around the world don't have this opportunity and travel thousands of miles to Belize just to see OUR reef.  Lets showcase how important and diverse the reef is by documenting the marine life that can be observed in one day!  For each site you visit during Reef Week please record the following information:
  • Date
  • Site name
  • Nearest Island
  • GPS coordinates if available
  • Organization or school name
  • Data recorder/Contact person
  • Observations
​If you are organizing a trip to the reef, break the participants into groups and have them be responsible for recording one group of marine life, while the entire group can contribute their observations. If a camera is available to document sightings please also submit photos of your findings!
ECOMAR will compile all the reports received into a  Reef Week Reefalicious Marine Life Census.  
Thanks for becoming a citizen scientist and reporting your valuable observations!

Sea Birds

What species of birds did you observe while enroute to the reef? The magnificent frigate bird? pelicans? osprey or sea gulls?  Did you observe any birds with bands around their leg?  Some pelicans migrate to Belize all the way from the United States!  You see they hear the Belize reef is amazing too!

Marine Mammals
​Dolphins, Manatees or Whales

Marine mammals are not always encountered during reef visits as they alternate their time between resting and feeding.  These are special sightings so if you are lucky enough to observe a dolphin, manatee or whale while at sea be sure to keep your distance and do not approach the animal as it will likely flee and reduce the time you can observe the animal.    
Picture
Photo Elbert Greer/White Sands, Ambergris Caye
Excellent reference for identifying whales:
Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises of the Western North Atlantic
A Guide to Their Identification.  By Stephen Leatherwood, David K Caldwell, and Howard E. Winn. 1976.

Elasmobranchs
​Sharks & Rays

Under the sea observations of sharks is exciting! You won't see sharks on every visit to the reef because they are being overfished by gillnets and targeted before Easter so fish can be eaten at lent.  If you see a shark enjoy the observation and just be sure to leave the shark room to escape into the big open sea.  Most marine life attacks result due to the animal feeling threatened and is only defending itself.  The most common shark is the nurse shark, AKA sleeping shark, as they are often observed resting on the sandy sea floor.
Rays are commonly observed when visiting the reef, the most common species is the southern stingray and spotted eagle ray, and in the shallow reef you will also likely see the yellow stingray.  Manta rays and electric rays are not commonly sighted.
See link below for images of more common sharks and rays:
Florents Guide to Florida, Bahamas & Caribbean Marine Life

Marine Reptiles
​Sea Turtles & Crocodiles

Reptiles of the sea include the sea turtes and crocodiles.  There are 3 species of sea turtle you may encounter while exploring the reef and include: the green sea turtle,  the hawksbill turtle, and the loggerhead.  Each turtle has a different diet and occupies a specific niche in the reef.  Hawksbills eat sponges, loggerheads eat crabs and snails (conchs) and green sea turtles eat grass.  Other turtles observed in Belize but are extremely rare include the leatherback and olive ridley sea turtle.

There are two species of crocodile that reside in Belize, and the American salt water crodile is known to nest on the cayes inside the reef and on the atolls.  Observing a crocodile at sea is a rare encounter.

If sea turtles or crocodiles are observed remember to keep your distance so you do not scare the them away.
Picture
Photo Elbert Greer/White Sands, Ambergris Caye

Rare Fish

The whale shark is the largest fish in the sea, and Belize is a hot spot for these plankton feeders. Plankton are tiny animals that float in the sea and the whale shark dines on fish eggs off Gladden Spit.

Other rare fish include the larger parrotfish, like midnight, rainbow or blue.  The blue hamlet and angelfish are rarely sighted in Belize.  

This juvenile kingfish was captured in a cast net throw for bait fish.

Commercial Fishery Products
Lobster & Conch & Fish

Lobster and conch are the main source of income for fishermen in Belize. These are easy to identify, just look for the lobster's spiny antennae protruding from coral crevices where they find shelter.  Conch are bottom feeders so you'll be able t easily spot there too on your trip to the reef.  If you see a pile of conch shells discarded on the reef this is a fisherman's cleaning station. Record the number of live lobster and conch you see during your visit to the reef!  
The closed season for lobster is from Feb 15 to June 15 , while conch season is closed from July 1- September 31,  but some years the season is closed early as the quota set by the Fisheries Department is reached earlier.

Long-spined Black Urchin

More than three decades ago in 1983, a widespread die-off of the long-spined black urchin, AKA Diadema antillarum, occurred in the Caribbean Sea. This echinoderm is a very important contributor to the coral reef ecosystem as they feed on algae (plants) that may otherwise outcompete and overgrow corals. Diadema are nocturnal and feed at night so during the day you will need to look for them in coral crevices on the reef.  Be careful not to touch because if one of the spines punctures your skin and get's lodged in the tissue it will be very painful to remove!  Record how many you observed on the reef.

Stressed Coral

Less noticeable to the untrained eye is coral that is either diseased or is bleaching.  Healthy coral are smooth and come in a variety of different shades of green, tan and dark brown.  If they appear colorful or bright white they are likely bleaching, or if they are grey and fuzzy, they are very likely dead.  Black band or white band disease are more easily identified.   Record any disease of bleaching that you recognize.

Invasive Species - LIONFISH

Lionfish are native to the Indo-Pacific Oceans but now inhabit Caribbean Sea reefs and other areas in the Atlantic Ocean, thanks to the marine aquarium industry.  Lionfish have no native predators and the concern is that they will consume critical reef species and will have a negative impact on the already stressed coral reef ecosystem, including key fishery species like the spiny lobster.  Lionfish are found on coral reefs, in mangroves, and along piers.  Lionfish are safe to eat, just be very careful when capturing or handling culled lionfish as their 18 venomous spines can inject a painful toxin.  Record how many lionfish you see on your trip.