Research underway on Utila

[Utila_ecology]

Following the discussion on the 'Laguna Beach Resort Trip Report' and the 'paying volunteer' threads, we hoped it would be useful to lay out some facts about the research that is going on on Utila as a new thread. Hopefully, this will broaden the discussion away from definitions. The Utila Centre for Marine Ecology is implementing science led conservation, not just monitoring the situation (in fact we are not a monitoring or mapping organisation which is unfortunately the bread and butter of many Marine NGOs). As such, we are looking at a variety of projects involving fisheries where we are working closely with the local fishermen and also evaluating the importance of sea grass and mangrove as nurseries for many fish species; reef health; the feasibility of conch farming to provide alternative livelihoods; and many other innovative projects. There is a lack of capacity and knowledge of marine resource management at local and regional government level but UCME has strong links with these institutions and provide an independent source of data and expertise to build that capacity. Because we also work at a local level, we are able to cross the divide between institutional governance and grass roots community projects. In addition t its research, UCME is dedicated to education at all levels, building capacity and understanding at all ages. We provide scholarships and bursaries to support Honduran national and Latin American students to study at the centre, we run open presentations on reef ecology and relevant local issues and are currently developing multimedia materials for schools and local businesses. Happy to provide further details to anyone interested...

 

[Utila_ecology]

Following the discussion on the 'Laguna Beach Resort Trip Report' and the 'paying volunteer' threads, we hoped it would be useful to lay out some facts about the research that is going on on Utila as a new thread. Hopefully, this will broaden the discussion away from definitions. The Utila Centre for Marine Ecology is implementing science led conservation, not just monitoring the situation (in fact we are not a monitoring or mapping organisation which is unfortunately the bread and butter of many Marine NGOs). Rather, we are looking at a variety of projects involving a wide range of inter-related issues. Our fisheries research involves working closely with the local fishermen to assess their current economic reliance on spawning aggregations, to identify and assess the changes of fishing practices in the local area and find a community management solution that will sustain the aggregations but without economically crippling the people who rely on these resources. We are also investigating the feasibility of conch farming to provide alternative livelihoods and evaluating the importance of sea grass as a nursery for many fish species. Our mangrove projects are evaluating the effect of urban encroachment on the mangrove forests as mangrove is increasingly being recognised as vital to and intertwined with the health of coral reefs. One of our coral research projects is investigating the settlement and survival of juvenile corals and the factors that influence recruitment in to the adult population. Specific investigations are also planned to look at the genetic distribution of endangered coral species (Acropora palmata) around the island as part of a regional meta-population study in conjunction with University of Pennsylvania State.
'Its justme' asked what was being done with the results: there is a lack of capacity and knowledge of marine resource management at local and regional government level but UCME has strong links with these institutions and provides an independent source of data and expertise to build that capacity. Because we also work at a local level, we are able to cross the divide between institutional governance and grass roots community projects.
In addition to its research, UCME is dedicated to education at all levels, building capacity and understanding at all ages. We provide scholarships and bursaries to support Honduran national and Latin American students to study at the centre, we run open presentations on reef ecology and relevant local issues and are currently developing multimedia materials for schools and local businesses.
Happy to provide further details to anyone interested...

 

[itsjustme0770]

UE-

Thanks for starting this follow up thread. I am happy to see a discussion of fisheries research and conch farming. Certainly over fishing of reef fish is a problem not just in Utila, but the Bay Islands generally. You mention that you are working with local fishermen. What kind of response are you getting? How about from the municpality? I haven't discussed the issue of overfishing with Mayor Cooper, but would be interested to know where the local politicians are coming down on these issues. Are they on board? and if so, is there actual commitment as opposed to just words? Has there been a discussion of either ending or severely restricting reef fishing? Has there been a discussion of retraining fishermen for the tourist industry? Or at least fishing for various fish that are really under pressure? Glad also to hear about the mangroves. I am always so sad to see the coral rock being trucked from the northside to fill in the mangroves.

I realize that the answers to some of these questions may be politically sensitive, so feel free to PM me if that is easier. What do you need from the local population? The Ex-Pat population? The non-resident landowners to make better, speedier, more productive progress?

Thanks for your willingness to discuss this sensitive and difficult issue.