Tela
Photo by Ryan Pernofski
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New Management Plan Will Protect Coral Reefs in Tela Bay, Honduras
Tela Bay, Honduras has some of the healthiest corals along the Mesoamerican Reef, boasting an abundance of critically endangered species, averaging a high rate of coral cover, and providing an important source of coral larvae for the region. It’s why we work with local communities, scientists, and partners to protect Tela Bay and its natural…
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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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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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Local Project Led by Women Combats Overfishing in Honduras
In Tela Honduras, a local farming project is helping to combat overfishing and repopulate the area’s vital coral reefs. The initiative supports local efforts that utilize alternative sources of food and income, in order to support a coastal community that is highly dependent on fishing. Our financial support, along with assistance from Tela’s environmental committee,…
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New Educational Videos That Focus on Protecting Coral Reefs
After more than 25 years of coral reef conservation work, we’ve celebrated many successes and evaluated lessons learned. We firmly believe that by sharing our gained knowledge, we will reach new communities in the world and help implement actions that protect coral reefs. In recent educational videos, Dr. Antonella Rivera, CORAL’s Principle Investigator in Tegucigalpa,…
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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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Aquaculture: An Alternative to Overfishing in Honduras
Lea esto en español Could aquaponics and aquaculture be a sustainable alternative to overfishing? According to Julio San Martin Chicas, our Principal Program Coordinator in Tela Bay, Honduras, the answer is yes: If specific fish can be adequately and competitively farmed using small-scale aquaculture, then we can alleviate fishing pressure on the reef. Aquaculture refers…
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Newly Protected Honduras Reefs Are A Divers Dream
For Immediate Release November 13, 2012 A recent discovery reveals coral cover reminiscent of 30 years ago Tela, Honduras Honduras Reefs—A unique dive site, previously unknown to the scientific community, has been discovered by the Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL), The Healthy Reefs Initiative (HRI), and their local partners near the coastal town of Tela, Honduras. The…