Where to go after Placencia?

[Snoweman]

It was removed from the list in late May of this year.

Thank you. What does the algae growth look like? That was something that I found depressing when I visited in 2012. As a new diver, I didn't know what it was, but I knew it wasn't right. Also, has the lionfish population been diminished? I know they will always be deep, but how are they at the recreational limits?

 

[Caye Caulker Diver B]

The algae growth is present, along with some beaching due to even the slightest temperature increases. I cannot compare to before. I will say this, I dove on Sunday with a woman from Australia who has dived the Great Barrier Reef often and extensively and she was amazed at the Belize Barrier Reef. We just did a local dive, just outside the Caye Caulker section of the reef. She commented on many types of coral she has never seen in Australia!

Yes, the lionfish populations, at recreational depths, have been depleted thanks to the great efforts of Belize. If you read through the posts here, you will see stories of folks who dove here a couple years ago, then came back recently, and comment on the reduced presence of lionfish on their dives.

Hope that helps. Remember this, a day of diving in "perceived" less than wonderful surroundings will ALWAYS be SUPERIOR to the best day you will ever have a work!!!

 

[Downing]

I just got back from my annual trip to Belize and mentioned in my trip report that there were fewer Lionfish than in the past. We speared an average of about 15 a day. A few years ago, we would average easily double + that. The other good news is that there were more juvenile fish than I had seen in a while, which I attributed to the reduced LF population.

My guess is they're going deeper, which is frustrating.

As far as algae growth, I thought the reefs were in great shape. All in all, I thought the surroundings were pretty wonderful.

 

[Ayisha]

How about doing a day trip to Glover's reef while you're in Placencia? That's what we're going to do shortly after you're there. It's supposed to be really pristine, like Lighthouse and Turneffe at the elbow of yesteryear...

 

[Caye Caulker Diver B]

More on Belize Barrier Reef being removed from World Heritage "In Danger List".

How Has Belize Preserved its Barrier Reef? Envirotech Online

 

[Hank49]

I just got back from my annual trip to Belize and mentioned in my trip report that there were fewer Lionfish than in the past. We speared an average of about 15 a day. A few years ago, we would average easily double + that. The other good news is that there were more juvenile fish than I had seen in a while, which I attributed to the reduced LF population.

My guess is they're going deeper, which is frustrating.

As far as algae growth, I thought the reefs were in great shape. All in all, I thought the surroundings were pretty wonderful.

Hi Downing. I was here this time. Sorry I missed you. Re lion fish, one thing we’ve noticed over the last 5 years or so is a decline in the black grouper populations. Hardly ever see one over 8 lbs or so anymore. Maybe a result of lion fish predation?

 

[Downing]

Hi Downing. I was here this time. Sorry I missed you. Re lion fish, one thing we’ve noticed over the last 5 years or so is a decline in the black grouper populations. Hardly ever see one over 8 lbs or so anymore. Maybe a result of lion fish predation?

Hank! I lost your number but swung by what I think is your house (next door to the yellow house?) a couple of times. Stopped and honked the horn but no one came out.

I didn't see a lot of grouper this year, come to think of it. Although I was pretty focused on killing LionFish, so I spent most of my time peering under ledges where they like to hang out.

For all their reputation as voracious eaters, I've never seen a LionFish feeding. There have been a couple of times where they appeared to be in position to strike, so I've hung back just to watch them do it. But after a few minutes nothing happened so I just go ahead and spear them and move on. Don't have all day, lol.

 

[Hank49]

628 6149.
I think the lion fish can be pretty brutal on schools of newly hatched larvae. They lie in wait around little coral patches and holes where the small fish hang out.
Sorry we missed you. A lot of cars stop and honk for my neighbor across the street. Next time.