Roatan West End Marine Reserve

[popeb]

Dear Board,

I just wanted to let you know that after many months of hard work by a number of dive shops in the West End and Sandy Bay areas of Roatan, the Marine Reserve is now being actively managed again. Already poaching in the reserve is down by 90% compared to 6 months ago. Each diver in the reserve is asked to make a doantion of $5, which lasts for 12 months. Already two patrol boats are in full time action, the Marine Reserve has a small office in the West End and new signs have ben put up promoting the reserve and safe diving practices. Money will also go towards ensuring moorings are put in and maintained at as many dive sites as possible. You can view a list of dive shops contibuting to the Reserve by participating in the tagging system at the reserve website:

http://www.roatanmarinepark.com/

 

[Bay Island Diver]

Following on from this very informative post, one thing the marine park really needs to start doing is understand the reef we are trying to protect. One of the hardest challenges we have in front of us trying to identify the key areas of our reef system such as spawning aggregations and seasons. In doing this we may be able to trun these spawning aggregations into something other than a fishing bonanza! So if anyone is interested in doing research on tropical coral reefs, we are always looking for help!

There are a few species we are particularly worried about. Conch (a local delicacy), lobster, grouper and believe it or not yellow tail snapper. If you are planning a visit to Roatan or any of the bay islands in the near future you can do a lot to help the reef by not eating these species. Choose the pelagics such as Wahoo and dolphin fish/dorado, king fish instead. If you must eat lobster the tail should be 5 inches long at a minimum, if it isn't you are rewarding illegal fishing practices.

Finally as your dive shop were you can the $5 marine park tag. I isn't a requirement since we have no legal backing or status as yet, but you can be assured that the money is going to a good cause.

Thanks

Will Welbourn (Secretary - Sandy Bay and West End Marine Park)