Commercial species such as finfish, lobster, and conch are monitored within the Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve (GSSCMR) and Laughing Bird Caye National Park (LBCNP) on a quarterly basis, following a four-month cycle. Monitoring focuses on both key herbivorous species (grazers) and commercially valuable market species. Surveys are conducted before, during, and after the fishing season to assess population trends over time. Understanding the population structure, recruitment, abundance, and fishing pressure of these species provides valuable insight into the overall health and sustainability of marine resources within the reserves.
