The Mesoamerican Reef (MAR) is the second largest barrier reef system in the world, stretching over 700 miles along the coasts of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras. This reef ecosystem is home to some of the last healthy populations of critically endangered Caribbean staghorn and elkhorn corals. The southern region of the MAR in Honduras is particularly crucial as it is a significant source of coral larvae to the MAR's northern region, due to the prevailing ocean currents.

Research shows that protecting fish populations from overfishing and pollution is crucial to safeguarding coral reefs. Recently, the presence of two fish spawning sites off the northwestern coast of the Honduran island of Roatan was discovered, which are critical to maintaining sustainable fish populations for the MAR. Since the majority of Roatan fishers are local artisanal fishers and international sport fishing tourists, there is a need for increased fishing regulations and patrol surveillance to preserve and enhance the marine biodiversity and ecological integrity of this area.

Goals

To elevate the protection status of the marine area from Sandy Bay to West Bay on the western side of the island of Roatan, Honduras, to a No-Take Zone to better protect key herbivorous and commercial fish species across 12.43 km2 of marine area, improving fish populations and the overall health of the reef ecosystem. (A No-Take Zone is a marine area that is specially designated as off limits for all fishing because of its ecological importance.)

Activities

The aim of this project is to achieve a long-term marine protection expansion through a bottom-up approach that includes:

• Collaborating with local communities and stakeholders to develop and implement conservation strategies (i.e. Collaborate with the Technical Committee of the Bay Islands National Marine Park on the development of a roadmap for the declaration of a No-Take Zone);
• Creating community-based management plans, education programs, and monitoring enforcement measures;
• Engage with fishers, dive shops, community groups, and local and national authorities;
• Empowering communities to lead the conservation process in collaboration with authorities;
• Promoting sustainable income initiatives to support food security and reduce forced migration.

Key Performance Indicators to be Reached (KPIs)

• Increased protections for herbivorous and commercial fish species
• Increased square kilometers of protected marine area under elevated regulation protections

Myriad Canada is partnering with the Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL) on this project, a global non-profit organization dedicated to saving the world’s coral reefs. CORAL works to improve coral health by addressing local threats and engaging communities in reef conservation efforts.

CORAL was founded in 1994 by a group of passionate SCUBA divers who were witnessing the degradation in reef health and wanted to do something about it. CORAL collaborates with local partners in conservation efforts, employing community-based fishery management strategies, appropriate co-management systems, access rights, enforcement of regulations and promotion of sustainable fisheries to create, manage and enhance marine protected areas and coastal estuaries. With over 15 years of experience in the Western Caribbean, CORAL has developed extensive expertise in the conservation of the Mesoamerican Reef (MAR).