Saving the Savanna

While this blog is focused on redfish, I am going to take a slight detour to discuss my trip to Belize. I think Belize is worthy of a post given the presence of the big three – tarpon, bonefish, and permit.

Although Belize is lauded for its conservation planning – roughly 26% of its land and sea is protected – there remains other areas with ecological and economic significance that are not protected at all and face destruction as the country races to develop through shrimp farms and new hotels.

One important area not protected is known among guides and anglers as the Savanna. Found east of Ambergris Caye, the Savanna is an extensive shallow water area with mud and white sand bottom interspersed with patches of turtle grass. What makes this area unique is its tarpon population. Both resident and migratory tarpon are found on the Savanna. From an angling standpoint, it’s clear waters allows an angler to see cruising tarpon from hundreds of feet away. Unlike the murky mangroves and coastal rivers where tarpon are usually found, the Savanna’s clarity allows an angler to see, prepare, and cast.

Of course catching tarpon isn’t as simple as the scenario I describe. The water’s clarity allows the fish to see the boat, making long casts essential. And given the Savanna’s proximity to San Pedro, the fish see a lot of flies. But sometimes it all comes together and it works out for the angler.

During my meetings with guides from El Pescador, an excellent fishing lodge on Ambergris Caye with world class guides, their number one concern regarding the future of fish and fishing in the area was protecting the Savanna. They fear that as more and more hotels are built on Ambergris Caye, the area’s flats will be impacted by dredging projects or the still prevalent commercial netting operations. Given the unregulated growth that has already resulted in the destruction of mangroves and other flats in the area, their fears are legitimate.

After our meeting I actually caught two tarpon on the Savanna, making their message hit home on a personal level. While my obsession is fly angling, my new cause is protecting the Savanna. So how does one go about creating a marine protected area in a foreign country? 

tarpon on the Savanna

meeting with guides