Belize | Country to more than double the extent of its MPAs; major upgrade to second largest reef

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Belize has approved a plan to set aside nearly 12 percent of its territorial waters as a protected area, more than doubling the size of existing reserves in the world’s second largest barrier reef.

The major expansion of the small Caribbean island’s protected areas follows a six-year effort by international scientists and conservation groups led by Belizeans, the Environmental Defense Fund said in a statement on Friday.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-belize-reefs/belize-more-than-doubles-protected-marine-area-idUSKCN1RH29X