Page 43 - Central America

MUNICIPALITY OF ROATAN BYLAWS •The use of explosives, chemical products, and other materials that
•Marine vessels driven without following proper precautions in pub- damage the coral system and that cause water contamination and gen-
lic areas: Fine: Lps200.00. eral environmental contamination are prohibited.
•All marine vessels that park at dive sites without displaying proper •The use of nets, traps, or any other object on the coral reef is pro-
signs for danger and precaution: Fine: Lps200.00. hibited, as is fishing with harpoons, capturing fish for aquaria, and
•All medium sized ships and boats, sailing boats, and motorboats that the fishing of lobster and conchs in the Marine Reserve and in areas
do not respect the orders of those people in charge of the marine re- which have been declared a protected zone.
serve: Fine Lps500.00. •All proprietors of fishing vessels, commercial vessels, and all wa-
•All divers and those in charge of diving groups that neglect the estab- ter vessels which are present in the seas are strictly prohibited from
lished and approved regulations set by this municipality in all coastal dumping combustibles, oil, grease, and all types of debris into the
areas, open seas, and in the marine reserve: Fine: Lps500.00. ocean as this affects the environment of the community. He who dis-
obeys this order will be penalized with a severe fine of Lps. 50,000.00.

•The exploitation, extraction, or use of the coral and similar elements
of the ocean and beach is prohibited.

BAY ISLANDS LAWS

•Anchoring of boats is prohibited on the coralline structure of the
reef.

•It is forbidden to extract living coral matter from the reef, including
hard and soft coral, and any other organisms living on or around the
reef, including marine conchs.

•The extraction of dead coralline stone is strictly prohibited, as is the
removal of sand and other reef material found adjacent to the reef and
on the beach.