RoatanMan:
The Marine Park makes me kind of snicker, anyway.
The Marine Reserve is in place (in theory) to pay for North (and West) side mooring and to provide identifiably large fish for visiting divers to log into their books.
B]
This posting disgusts me, to belittle the activities of this deserving cause with virtually no knowledge of what it does is what makes this self professed expert on Roatan a laughing stock on the island of Roatan amongst many of its long term residents.
Way to destroy your credibility Roatanman
You asked Luna Beach about this posting - did you bother to contact the marine park managers? If you had they would have repeated Luna Beach's official stance with the marine park. Which is at present that they will not support it until they see less fishing from the docks near their resort. Fishing (with a line) being legal here, there is little the marine park can do to fulfill this request. Like any law enforcer, the marine park relies on the public to report law breakers so their officials can respond. Has Luna beach got one single report on file with the marine park office? No, so how can the marine park do anything to stop any individual who actually is breaking the law if they are not informed? I actually don't want to make this posting about Luna beach as I am sure these problems will be sorted out and they will once again become valued members. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE A TAG NO MONEY HAS GONE TO THE PARK. I want to make this post about how wrong Roatanman is in his accusations with regard to the activities of the Marine Park and the Raison d'etre.
The marine park has now been recognised at a governmental level as co-managers of the marine protected areas here in Roatan. They have received grants from a number of international bodies, including PADI.
Here is a copy of the latest news letter sent out by the marine park. Admittedly their website is very out of date at present due to technical difficulties. Note that this just addresses what has been happening in the last month, their activities are wide ranging with only about 15% of their annual expenditure on marine infrastructure. Their greatest focus is on education of locals (largely school children) as to the delicate balance of the marine ecosystem and the importance of preserving it. They also work hard to protect key indicator species such as conch and lobster. NOT LARGE FISH.
'Welcome once again to the Sandy Bay West End Marine Park newsletter,
Now that the issue with RECO has hopefully resolved itself and we have continuous power supply, fingers crossed, life has slowly got back to normal here on Roatan. In the past 5 weeks the Park has been busy with the usual issues, and in addition working on new projects.
Patrols:
As usual the patrol boats have continued their daily vigilance of the Park and had several captures throughout January. On the 23rd 2 persons in a cayuco in the possession of conch, lobster and a sea fan were apprehended. While one of the accused managed to escape after leaping from the office balcony and bolting for the bush, the other spent 24 hours in jail and then returned to our office for the standard beach clean-up follow up (community service).
Arrests:
On the 31st, two yachters were caught in the possession of a spear gun and a sling trident and several large lobsters. Due to a failure in communication on behalf of the Port Authorities in Coxen Hole where the yacht had registered, the accused were unaware that they were within a Marine Park, that the use of spear guns was illegal (a law enacted throughout the whole of the Bay Islands but sadly not enforced at a satisfactory level) and that the removal of conch and lobster is forbidden. With this in mind we opted not to imprison the accused and instead demanded an adequate donation (aqua. a legitimate fine) and kept their arsenal of weapons. Following this incident, we have learnt that it is imperative that all yachts that enter Roatan waters are informed about the rules and regulations and that failure to comply will result in imprisonment. From this we have developed a new leaflet that all registered boats will receive during registration at the Port Office, so that people can no longer plead ignorance when captured.
Evolution of patrols:
As we are constantly faced with the problem of poachers, we are continually trying to change our schedules and mix up our times when we send the boats out on patrol. We have once again returned to late night, early morning and all day patrols in the attempt to reduce poaching, and hope that this will result in the apprehension of law breakers who adapted to a previous patrolling schedule. It is a laborious task patrolling with only 2 boats and 4 sets of eyes, but with the help of YOU, the public, who can act as our ears and eyes, contact us on channel 16 or dial 349-4138 when you see foul play. Hopefully, with your help we can increase the efficiency of our patrols.
Dive sites:
On a lighter note, for those residing on Roatan and diving round the West End, you would have noticed that there are 5 new dive moorings just in front of Luna Beach. While some have replaced old sites, i.e. shallow and deep sea quest and turtle crossing, we are currently looking for names for the other sites. Something amusing, witty, catchy, what ever, we are appealing for names. Meanwhile the new mooring buoys we bought with the ICRAN grant are finally getting wet, with most sites within the Park marked. We are constantly looking for new locations for installing new dive sites so all suggestions are welcome. For example, Nick and Greg installed a new mooring just east of Mandy’s Eel Garden now known as “Temptation Reef” due to the double drop off leading to a mysterious abyss difficult to resist.
Upcoming workshop:
From the 27th of February to the 1st of March, preparation of the Watershed Monitoring Protocol for the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System (MBRS) Regional Workshop will take place in Mayan Princess in West Bay. A second workshop on a monitoring protocol for coral reef, mangroves, fish and sea grass will be held from the 2nd to the 8th of March and for this we are looking for 5 more persons who are willing to participate in rapid, wide ranging regional reef assessments. Basically, when called to action, reef assessment teams throughout the entire MBRS will mobilize for a coordinated rapid assessment for the entire region, from the Yucatan to Belize and the Bay Islands. All prospective volunteers must be able to commit long term and should come into the office for more info.
Round up of other issues:
To finish off there are several other final things to mention:
1) The clear plastic recycling program is gradually becoming a reality with a proposed launch date during Seaman Santa. Sponsors for transportation, recycling containers (~100 garbage cans), volunteer uniforms, TV commercials, posters, leaflets, compactor and bailer have all been found.
2) The Marine Park is looking for volunteers to be part of a permanent Volunteer Committee whose responsibilities will be coordinating and organizing projects such as the Dive in Earth Day Festival (art competition, reef clean up, children’s snorkel tour and after party) on the 22nd April. Please let all of your Dams and Instructors know.
3) The new 2007 diver user fee tokens are finally available at the office for a mere $10 as well as the new hospital bracelet-style day passes being sold for $3/piece.
4) A reminder that we now have Biodegradable/Eco-friendly Sunscreens and Insect Repellents for sale in the office.
5) We are launching our Youth Education Program next week. We have 3 instructors who will be visiting many of Roatan’s schools, delivering lessons on ecology, conservation, recycling and waste management.
6) Willard Mann has become a full-time boat captain.
Well that rounds up January. Hope this message finds you all well and that February isn't too cold for those less fortunate not to be on Roatan
Until Next Time!
Respect the Reef,
Nick Bach & Greg Puncher
Sandy Bay & West End Marine Park
504.349.4138
roatanmarinepark.com
