The Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, a UNESCO World Heritage site, contains the largest barrier reef in the Northern Hemisphere. The system illustrates a classic example of reef types through fringing, barrier and atoll, and its seven interconnected marine protected areas provide a haven for threatened species. Spotted eagle rays are considered near threatened on the IUCN Red List. These creatures are known at times to form aggregations, but most commonly they are seen alone, a sudden appearance providing delight for any expectant diver.