Turneffe Atoll
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Turneffe Atoll is a group of small Caribbean islands southeast of Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker, off the coast of Belize in Central America, 20 miles (32 km) from Belize City. It is approximately 30 miles (48 km) long and 10 miles (16 km) wide, making it the largest coral atoll in Belize and in the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System.[1] The atoll was officially declared a marine reserve on November 22, 2012.[2]
Turneffe is home to many marine species that are threatened and/or commercially important. The land and seascape consists of a network of highly productive flats, creeks, and lagoons dotted by more than 150 mangrove islands and higher cayes with savanna and littoral forest. Large expanses of intact mangrove and seagrass habitat and shallows provide important nursery functionality for a wide array of fish species, crocodiles, lobster, conch and other invertebrates. In addition, at least three known important fish spawning aggregation sites have been identified. [3]
At the northern end of the island group is Mauger Caye, with its eponymous lighthouse, the southern end has a smaller aid to navigation on Caye Bokel.
References[edit]
- ^ "Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve Management Plan" (PDF). Belize Fisheries Department. 2011. p. 6. Retrieved 4 May 2013.
- ^ "Turneff Atolls Declared National Park". Amandala Newspaper. 27 November 2012. Retrieved 2 Jun 2014.
- ^ "Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve Management Plan" (PDF). Belize Fisheries Department. 2011. p. 6. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
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Coordinates: 17°20′N 87°52′W / 17.333°N 87.867°W
