ABSTRACT
The globally significant Belize Barrier Reef System contains a wealth of biodiversity that supports a thriving tourism sector. It has a variety of reef types and supports a number of endangered species, including sea turtles, sharks and manatees. The reef provides critical ecosystem goods and services such as fisheries production, tourism, recreation and shoreline protection; however, it faces numerous threats from overfishing, unsustainable coastal development, uncontrolled tourism activities, unsustainable land use practices and oil exploration. Belize has made good progress in implementing best management practices to reduce impacts to the reef such as implementing an integrated coastal zone management plan, managed access fisheries, a ban on oil exploration and enacting fisheries legislation that protects critical species and bans harmful fishing practices. The aim of this chapter is to examine a range of issues associated with tourism use of the Belize Barrier Reef System.
