Sobeida Nazaret Nuñez Rosa
The Tela Bay Marine Wildlife Refuge (RVSMBT), part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, supports resilient coral reefs and Garifuna communities that depend on tourism and artisanal fishing. Despite Honduras’s shark sanctuary status, illegal shark fishing persists and populations remain depleted.
Gathering information from students, divers, and local authorities on the importance of promoting shark and ray conservation in Tela © Pedro Canas
To address critical data gaps and negative perceptions of sharks, this project will establish the first scientific baseline on the abundance, diversity, and distribution of sharks and rays in Tela Bay; build local capacity by training community members and authorities in scientific monitoring; and increase awareness of the ecological, fisheries, and coastal protection roles of sharks and rays. Education and outreach activities will be conducted in schools, public spaces, and tourism centres to foster understanding and behaviour change among residents and visitors.
Sobeida Nuñez collecting data during marine megafauna monitoring alongside MarAlliance partner fishermen. © Ivy Baremore
The resulting data will directly support planning, management, and conservation within the marine protected area, inform adaptive management and protection zoning, and strengthen long-term conservation of sharks, rays, and their habitats. By actively engaging fishing communities and local institutions, the project will promote responsible fishing practices while supporting sustainable livelihoods in Tela Bay.
Sobeida Nuñez and Exon Flores setting up the BRUV for marine species monitoring. © Ivy Baremore
Tela Bay Wildlife Refuge is a coastal and marine protected area in Honduras. © Jorge Vazquez.