This project provided many benefits which included building capacity of guides by teaching them sets of skills and technical abilities related to the following equipment: GPS, computer, digital cameras. Benefits to tour guides also include a higher awareness and appreciation for whale shark biology & conservation, natural resources value and ecosystem function in our marine reserves, local and international laws and treaties related to biodiversity and conservation, causes and effects of climate change and some potential adaptation strategies. Many guides who participated in the AMTG reported a marked increase in tips based on their better briefings and increased knowledge about the marine environment. Dive Instructors who completed the PADI Underwater Digital Photography course have the option of applying for their instructor status in this specialty course and can begin teaching it through their respective dive shops.

Additionally guides who participated in the Holbox exchange trip gained not only a cultural experience but also a new appreciation for all the policies and management that are working in Belize.

An important benefit for this project is the strengthening of the PTGA itself: although one of the oldest tour guide associations in Belize, it was dormant for many years and this project forced regular meetings and attendance and gave participants a sense of accomplishment, cooperation, and inspiration for further projects. This project greatly enhanced the PTGA?s self sufficiency and capacity by providing not only monitoring equipment (cameras, housing, GPS units) but also a LCD projector, an all-in-one printer, a laptop and an external hard drive for back up.

Benefits also include a new relationship between SEA (formally FoN), the Belize Fisheries Department, and the National Coral Reef Monitoring Network. Citizen-based research has been used for years by organizations like REEF, Ecocean, Earthwatch, etc. The Placencia Marine Tour guides are several levels above the average citizen when it comes to marine ecological monitoring, they have a wider scope (working area) than just the marine reserves and their monitoring/observational input will be useful for years to come and will ultimately aid conservation and fisheries? management and policy decisions on the Belize Barrier Reef System.

The total number of people who benefited from the project was 47 (5 females and 42 males).