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Mexico Rocks is a shallow patch reef complex located off the far northern tip of Ambergris Caye, in the Belize Barrier Reef. The site consists of approximately 100 Holocene patch reefs clustered on a Pleistocene ridge of limestone and is composed predominantly of boulder star coral (Montastraea annularis)^[1]. The reef has accumulated in shallow water, about 2.5 to 5 metres (8 to 16 ft) deep, over the last 420 years, under static sea level conditions.The site was recommended for designation as a marine preserve in 1978, and was approved in 2015 and is part of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve.^[2]

A popular snorkelling and SCUBA diving destination, it is seen as an important addition to the Ambergris Caye's ecotourism attractions.^[2]

Wildlife

The Montastraea annularis boulder corals that dominate here are unique to Ambergris Caye's northern lagoon and a rare occurrence in Belize; the only other such patch reefs in the country are located at Glover's Reef.^[2] In addition, staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis) occurs on the ridge's windward and leeward flanks. Thirty species of hard corals have been identified on Mexico Rocks ^[2] .

The reef is abundant in fish and invertebrate life. Common fish found at Mexico Rocks include Atlantic blue tang (Acanthurus coeruleus), yellowtail snapper (Ocyurus chrysurus), and southern stingray (Dasyatis americana)^[3]. Nurse sharks (Ginglymostoma cirratum) and green moray eel (Gymnothorax funebris) are also found on the reef^[3]. Spiny Lobster (Pallinuridae), conch (Strombidae), arrow crab (Stenorhynchus seticornis), banded shrimp (Stenopus hispidus)and many sponge species are also found throughout the reef.

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^ Burke, C. D.; et al. (2004). "Coral Mortality, Recovery, and Reef Degradation at Mexico Rocks Patch Reef Complex, Northern Belize, Central America: 1995-1997". Hydrobiologia. 530–531 (1–3): 481–487. doi:10.1007/s10750-004-2669-1. hdl:10057/3662. S2CID 2680551. {{cite journal}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |first= (help)
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Casado Internet Group. "Mexico Rocks". Retrieved 2011-04-17.
^ ^a ^b "Census of Hol Chan Marine Reserve". Hol Chan Marine Reserve. 2018. Archived from holchanbelize.org the original on 2018. Retrieved 24 November 2018. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help); Check date values in: |archive-date= (help)

[1] Burke, C. D.; et al. (2004). "Coral Mortality, Recovery, and Reef Degradation at Mexico Rocks Patch Reef Complex, Northern Belize, Central America: 1995-1997". Hydrobiologia. 530–531 (1–3): 481–487. doi:10.1007/s10750-004-2669-1. hdl:10057/3662. S2CID 2680551. {{cite journal}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |first= (help)

[ambergris-2] Casado Internet Group. "Mexico Rocks". Retrieved 2011-04-17.

[:0-3] "Census of Hol Chan Marine Reserve". Hol Chan Marine Reserve. 2018. Archived from holchanbelize.org the original on 2018. Retrieved 24 November 2018. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help); Check date values in: |archive-date= (help)

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