Overfishing endangers reefs.
On healthy reefs, herbivorous fish like parrotfish and surgeonfish graze on seaweed, keeping algal growth in check. When reefs are overfished, reef systems can quickly collapse, and the fish stocks that depend on the reefs can in turn collapse. Sustainable fishing practices ensure that coral reefs, humans, and sea life can all thrive.
Our Solution
We develop and implement conservation strategies to protect coral reef ecosystems from the harmful effects of overfishing:
- We conduct biological and socioeconomic studies to document the current status of fisheries and monitor changes over time.
- We establish or expand Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Locally Managed Marine Areas (LMMAs) in collaboration with governments and communities.
- We partner with governments and communities to establish sustainable fisheries policies and practices, such as limiting the type of fishing gear to reduce bycatch or establishing spatial or seasonal closures that reduce the catch of rare species, juveniles, and spawning aggregations.
- We increase compliance with fishing regulations by conducting law enforcement patrols, clarifying governance, and building awareness among fishers about the detrimental impacts of overfishing.
- We address the underlying social and economic drivers of overfishing by promoting other sustainable income-generating activities such as aquaculture, agriculture, or tourism.
- We increase stewardship for coral reefs by building community awareness about coral reef ecosystems and the threats they face.
resources
Catalog of Fish Species in Tela Bay, Honduras
Local fishers held a wealth of knowledge of the various fish species of the region, but that information wasn’t documented anywhere. Now, by partnering with the fishers to create detailed fish catalogs for the region, CORAL has helped preserve this vast local expertise and make it more accessible to the general public.
Monthly Monitoring Protocol: Laguna de los Micos, Tela, Atlántida
The objective of this monthly lagoon monitoring program is to evaluate the state of fisheries in Laguna de los Micos to better understand the impact of lagoon closures. Although this methodology was developed for Laguna de Los Micos, this protocol can be implemented in any lagoon along the Honduran Caribbean coast.
Fisheries Management Plan for Tela Bay, Honduras
The Fisheries Management Plan for Tela Bay seeks to establish a tool for the integrated and sustainable development of fishing activity in Tela Bay. The management plan seeks to achieve three main objectives that integrate three key areas for the management of fisheries resources: ecological, social and economic.
Socioeconomic Diagnosis Of the Fishing Communities in Tela Bay, Honduras
This study evaluates the socioeconomic status of artisanal fishers in Tela Bay, Honduras, to understand the current systems of governance and decision-making and inform the applicability of fishing management tools.
Support CORAL
Our work ensuring coral reefs have the vibrant fish populations they need wouldn’t be possible without your support. Give today to help coral reefs survive.