Local News
Photo by Ryan Pernofski
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From Thriving Fish to Spicy Salsa—Here’s How an Aquaponics System Could Support Coastal Communities
Did you know there’s a fish tank that produces tasty vegetables, can create economic opportunities, and helps protect coral reefs? It’s called an aquaponics system, and it combines aquaculture and hydroponics to raise fish and grow organic fruits and vegetables. An aquaponics system relies on a symbiotic relationship between fish and plants. Fish waste fertilizes…
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Celebrating the Success of Local Partners Who Overcame Challenges During COVID-19
Think back to 2020—hospital visits rose as COVID cases climbed, borders closed, businesses and schools shut down, and people panicked. The world we once knew spun upside down in a matter of days. And like so many, ocean conservation organizations, which depend highly on tourism revenue, suddenly faced unprecedented challenges as they worked to protect…
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Tela Bay’s Closed Fishing Season Increases Fish Biomass in Coastal Lagoons
With an almost 500% increase in fish biomass, a successful “closed fishing season” in Tela Bay, Honduras is offering relief to both community fishers and nearby coral reefs. Recently, the proper funding and on-the-ground support has allowed the Tela community to effectively carry-out a two-month closed fishing season in coastal lagoons and enforce sustainable fishing…
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The Smell You Can’t Ignore: What Sargassum Is and Why It’s Taking Over Caribbean Beaches
Do you smell that?It’s the unmistakable stench of rotting eggs, drifting as far as half a mile inland from parts of the Caribbean coastline. That smell is hydrogen sulfide, and it’s the unpleasant calling card of massive sargassum blooms now washing up on beaches across Mexico, Honduras, Belize, and other parts of the Mesoamerican Reef…
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What is a Destination Management Organization? And How Can a DMO Protect Coral Reefs in Cozumel?
Sandy white beaches, turquoise waters, and vibrant coral reefs—it’s the type of travel destination that many of us dream of. Vacation season is quickly approaching and soon, millions of eager tourists will pack their bags and flock to some of the world’s most beautiful, sought-after destinations. But increased popularity means many of the natural resources…
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Using Lessons Learned in Puakō, Hawai’i to Tackle Wastewater Pollution Worldwide
Erica Perez, CORAL’s Senior Program Manager on Hawai’i Island, just wrapped up her time as a mentor during the new Wastewater Pollution course led by our partner the Reef Resilience Network (RRN). Perez played an active role in helping students understand the threats of wastewater pollution on coral reefs and implement effective strategies to mitigate…
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Local Scientists Find New Coral Reefs in Trujillo, Honduras. Here’s What That Could Mean for Mesoamerica
Local scientists from CORAL and the Healthy Reefs Initiative (HRI) made an exciting, new discovery during this year’s coral reef monitoring in Trujillo, Honduras. With the help of nearby fishers, they found multiple sites of new coral reefs that have not previously been monitored or studied by the local scientific community. For a while, local…
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Tela Bay’s 2021 Closed Fishing Season Shows Success
Tela Bay, Honduras—Recent monitoring data collected from Los Micos Lagoon demonstrated a 483 percent increase in fish biomass after a closed fishing season in 2021, signifying both higher quantities and larger sizes of fish. Likewise, it showed an increase in diversity of species and trophic levels. Los Micos Lagoon often suffers from overfishing, impacting populations…
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CORAL Joins Maui Nui Makai Network
The Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL) is honored to join the Maui Nui Makai Network—a network of community groups from across Maui Nui that protect and care for marine and coastal ecosystems. The network was established in 2013 when community organizations decided they would be stronger working together than separately. Network members meet regularly to learn…