Marine conservation in Honduras

We strive to improve the welfare and economic growth of Utila and Honduras by supporting the management and sustainable use of marine biodiversity. We work on projects that measure the impact of tourism. By participating in these programmes, volunteers develop a deeper understanding of the positive economic and the negative environmental effects of tourism development that can occur without proper management. This knowledge enables them to make informed and responsible choices in their current and future travel plans.

We are a Honduran based organisation, with low UK costs, enabling a very high proportion of its income to be spent locally to benefit the economy of the island. We are committed to supporting the local community: employing 3 local staff who skipper the dive boat, cook meals and provide housekeeping services. All fruits, vegetables, staples are sourced locally and are all produced in Honduras. Meat is bought directly from the farmer on the island. A great effort is made to use no imported products for all meals which are made using Honduran recipes. Volunteers and staff stay in locally owned accommodation and in addition the office is leased from a local family.

The pre-departure information and the induction sessions on arrival explain the economic and social context of Honduras in considerable detail and volunteers are advised of ways in which they can support the local economy. For example if they want to eat out which restaurants are locally owned and which handicrafts are produced locally rather than imported and to avoid unsustainable souvenirs like sea shells and coral ornaments.

We aim to be a leading voice for the conservation of tropical island ecosystems; to create and implement innovative conservation strategies; and to provide spokespersons for the island’s biological resources and interests at national and regional fora.

Volunteers are fully briefed on the relevance of all projects and their participation to the sustainability and effective management of the island’s fragile resources. As part of their training programme volunteers learn about the important role of specific marine animals such as conch, lobster and predatory fish and how these animals are key to the survival and health of coral reefs. In addition, volunteers learn about tools for effective community fisheries management and participate in programmes that monitor fish stocks as well as working with the local community on education and awareness programmes.

Another programme involves learning about and monitoring coastal water quality and the importance of sewage treatment, whilst yet another part of their programme concentrates on the role of unregulated tourism development in destroying vital ecosystems such as mangroves and sea grass beds and mechanisms to combat this by participating in mangrove replanting schemes run by the centre. Volunteers participate in a rotation of projects during their time on the island so that they gain a fuller understanding of the links and dependencies between the various land and water based components of the marine coastal ecosystem.

Waste from the project is minimised by ensuring all food produce is bought from local stalls with no packaging; plastics are placed into the island recycling scheme and canned products are specifically not bought. There is a comprehensive water use policy to conserve fresh water at all of the projects facilities.

We realise that research alone will not solve ecological problems and so work closely with the community to ensure they understand, support and directly benefit from the outputs of the centre. We report directly to the municipal mayor and the municipal environment officer providing up to date and relevant advice on ecological problems and solutions for the island. Finally our staff are establishing a schools’ programme to help educate the youngest islanders about the amazing biodiversity of the place they call home.