MarAlliance's
10 year anniversary
10 Years of Exploring, Enabling and Inspiring
As we mark our 10th anniversary, we invite you to explore our journey of steadfast dedication to marine conservation. This timeline provides a comprehensive overview of our organization’s work and conservation efforts over the past decade. We encourage you to explore the pivotal events that have shaped our journey.
Established in 2014, MarAlliance has emerged as a beacon of dedication in safeguarding our oceans’ biodiversity. We take pride in our steadfast commitment to rewilding the oceans with endangered marine megafauna, in collaboration with local communities.
MarAlliance Timeline
2014
MarAlliance is Founded
With a vision to advance and democratize the science and stewardship of large, threatened marine wildlife, Dr. Rachel Graham launched her dream in April 2014 with a team of biologists and traditional fishers and the generous support of several individual donors. Using a broad, collaborative approach that engaged a range of stakeholders, MarAlliance set itself apart from other organizations through the integration of fishers in the co-creation and management of scientific monitoring and conservation activities that has snowballed into a widely replicated grassroots approach to attain the durable conservation of marine wildlife and their key habitats.
Regional Implementation of Our Standardized Species Monitoring Protocols
Baseline and regular standardized monitoring protocols are essential to gauge population and ecosystem health and trends, and assess the effectiveness of conservation measures. Given the long generation times of sharks, rays, and turtles, the process of population recovery can take decades. Thus, we regionally implemented a low-cost protocol using three methods: Underwater Visual Census (UVC), Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV), and scientific longlines. When deployed simultaneously, these methods offer a comprehensive view of threatened marine wildlife abundance, diversity, and distribution. Inclusive and easily implemented by trained associates from small vessels, the monitoring can be implemented over the long term and help to capture how management and conservation efforts affect these important species.
2015
Extending our Protocols to Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras
Building upon the successful Belize standardized monitoring program, our core team expanded and our monitoring protocols were extended to encompass Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras. This marked the initiation of the first-ever assessment of marine megafauna throughout the MesoAmerican Reef (MAR). Operating from Isla Contoy in northern Yucatan Peninsula to the Bay Islands in Honduras, our teams executed over 19,000 hours of Baited Remote Underwater Videos (BRUVs), and swam a cumulative distance exceeding 880 kilometers (560 miles). This endeavor not only resulted in the acquisition of new data, but also facilitated the training of a new cohort of fisher partners. Fishers from Belize traveled to Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras to impart training in standardized monitoring methods, as well as the safe handling and release of sharks. In reciprocation, Mexican fishers shared their expertise in capturing and retaining live lobsters with their Belizean counterparts, thereby enabling them to enhance the value of their catch.
Honduras program started
In Honduras, the imposition of a shark fishing moratorium in 2011 resulted in knowledge gaps concerning the diversity, abundance, and distribution of sharks and their relatives nationwide. Leveraging insights from regional monitoring and fisher exchanges, standardized monitoring initiatives were initiated in Honduras, including Cayos Cochinos and the Bay Islands. Concurrently, fishery landings research was conducted along both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. One of our objectives is to enhance awareness regarding shark protection laws. Consequently, we consider this baseline of information as a reference point for assessing any potential shifts in awareness and enforcement of these laws. This laid the groundwork for ongoing endeavors in the country, conducted in collaboration with our dedicated fisher partners.
News: https://maralliance.org/how-are-our-fish-doing-monitoring-can-help-answer-the-question/
News: https://maralliance.org/how-are-our-fish-doing-monitoring-can-help-answer-the-question/
Cabo Verde Program Started
Cabo Verde, an island nation off West Africa's coast, is recognized for its high marine biodiversity, but lacks comprehensive data on its marine wildlife, which is increasingly threatened by industrial fisheries. Our innovative program aimed to understand and protect endangered species like oceanic manta rays, whale sharks, hammerheads, tiger sharks, and sea turtles through our standard monitoring protocols, integration of fishers into innovative research and conservation activities, and outreach and education initiatives. This initiative marked a crucial step in safeguarding Cabo Verde's marine ecosystem against industrial fisheries and other threats.
Delving into the Depths: Launching our Deepwater Research
Recognizing the growing trend of fishers venturing into deeper waters to compensate for reduced catches and closed seasons, we initiated our deepwater fisheries research program in Belize. Our initial inquiry was straightforward: what species inhabit waters below 150 meters in depth? This led us to ponder the potential impacts of intensified deep-sea fishing on species about which we know very little. To understand the history and current status of deepwater fisheries in the MesoAmerican Region, we conducted questionnaire surveys in Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras. Additionally, we launched a fishery-independent monitoring program utilizing scientific vertical longlines and a novel deepwater baited remote underwater video (BRUV) system. Our objective was to assess the vulnerability of deepwater species to overfishing and determine appropriate conservation measures.
News: https://maralliance.org/the-deep-a-new-frontier-for-shark-science/
News: https://maralliance.org/the-deep-a-new-frontier-for-shark-science/
2016
First baseline completed in eastern Cape Verde
In 2016, we initiated the first-ever baseline survey of elasmobranchs in Sal, Boavista, and Maio in Cabo Verde, deploying 203 cameras. Our findings revealed sightings of fourteen shark and ray species across the three islands, including the endemic Atlantic weasel shark (Paragaleus pectoralis) and four ray species. This remarkable species diversity underscores a wide spectrum of body sizes, trophic positions, and ecological roles of the elasmobranch species inhabiting coastal waters of Cabo Verde, which included benthic rays, apex sharks, small-bodied meso-predators, and mega planktivores.
The Panama program started
As the southeastern-most country in Central America, Panama boasts extensive coastlines along both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Initiating our efforts at three sites along the Caribbean coast, we continued our mission to collect foundational data on the status of endangered marine species. Utilizing BRUVs and conducting sawfish questionnaire surveys, we aimed to establish the first baseline study of threatened marine wildlife in the Caribbean of Panama. Additionally, we commenced an educational program targeting school children in the communities where our research activities were conducted.
2017
Knowledge Exchange for Sustainable Fisheries
Our fisher exchange program in Belize continued to yield positive outcomes. Belizean fishers returned from Mexico equipped with new knowledge on utilizing loop sticks for live lobster retention, which they subsequently shared within their communities. Notably, a lobster fisherman from Monkey River in Southern Belize, benefited from this knowledge transfer and journeyed to the island of Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia, where he became a trainer in sustainable fishing practices, imparting skills to local traditional fishers. This exchange showcased the efficacy of peer-to-peer knowledge sharing in achieving fisheries sustainability, fostering a dynamic network of traditional fishers transcending regional boundaries.
News: https://maralliance.org/networking-fishers-across-ocean-basins/
News: https://maralliance.org/networking-fishers-across-ocean-basins/
Tackling Invasions: Lionfish Local Management in Guna Yala
In Guna Yala, the invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans) poses a significant threat to the region's ecosystem, outcompeting native species for space and food resources without natural predators. Recognizing the culinary potential of lionfish, we initiated efforts to manage the invasive species by training fishers in safe capture and processing techniques through peer-to-peer training. This collaboration expanded to include annual standardized monitoring of marine megafauna and launched educational campaigns for students. Our work in Guna Yala aims to empower communities, promote lionfish consumption, and underscore the vital role of sharks and other large fish in maintaining marine ecosystem health.
News: https://maralliance.org/panamas-guna-yala-local-fishers-become-champions-for-marine-resources-management/
News: https://maralliance.org/panamas-guna-yala-local-fishers-become-champions-for-marine-resources-management/
Sustainable Fish Markets in Micronesia
Pohnpei, a coral rimmed island in the Western Pacific’s Federated States of Micronesia, was facing overfishing of its reefs due to reliance on sustainable practices such as spearfishing and fishing of juveniles and spawning aggregations. These practices were driven by market demand, which superseded the ability of fisheries to yield fish without significant long-term impacts to the fished populations. Working closely with fishers, market owners, and fishing communities to return the coral reef fishery to sustainable levels, we aimed to turn this situation around by helping Pohnpei’s fisher association, Menin Katengesed, to set their own pricing and set standards and restrictions around purchases to help eliminate unsustainable fishing practices. The operation served as a blueprint for other area markets and beyond Micronesia’s extensive territories. With these locally-based initiatives, we aim to steer Pohnpei fisheries back to sustainable levels, with fishers at the helm.
News: https://maralliance.org/markets-developed-and-driven-by-fishers-a-solution-for-sustainable-fisheries/
News: https://maralliance.org/markets-developed-and-driven-by-fishers-a-solution-for-sustainable-fisheries/
2018
Fisher Exchanges: Fostering Cross-Border Collaboration
Acknowledging the substantial role played by our fisher partners in enhancing our
comprehension of endangered marine wildlife, and recognizing the importance of peer-to-peer knowledge exchange, we continued our model of fisher exchanges in 2018. This initiative involved deploying our Mexican and Belizean partners to Panama, fostering cross-border collaboration and sharing valuable insights for marine conservation efforts.
Mapping Shark Populations: La Moskitia's First Baseline Survey
Although it is a designated Shark Sanctuary, Honduras's 'incidental capture' policy allows fishers
and indigenous groups to retain sharks unintentionally caught while targeting other species. In the remote Miskito Cays, a shark fishery meets consumer demand for fish, particularly just before Easter, by supplying shark and ray meat. The impact of this fishery is unknown, as we know very little about which species and how many sharks and rays inhabit the area. A baseline study using BRUVs revealed higher species abundance in the distant cays compared to the Bay Islands, with eight shark species encountered. Caribbean reef sharks (Carcharhinus perezi) were predominant, along with both critically endangered large hammerhead species, Sphyrna mokarran and S. lewini. This study highlighted the need for increased enforcement and monitoring of the fishery.
News: https://maralliance.org/miskito-cays-unexplored-marine-wildlife-under-threat/
News: https://maralliance.org/miskito-cays-unexplored-marine-wildlife-under-threat/
New Species of Shark Discovered!
The discovery of a new species marked a significant breakthrough in our understanding of deep-sea sharks, particularly within the Caribbean Sea, where research on deepwater organisms is scarce. Collaborating with researchers in three countries, we utilized genetic analysis to reveal that a deepwater shark, previously presumed to be a single species worldwide, is actually two distinct species. Specifically, our findings identified the Atlantic sixgill shark (Hexanchus vitulus) as a local inhabitant of the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. This revelation challenges previous assumptions and underscores the importance of continued exploration and research in deep-sea ecosystems.
Tagged Tiger Shark Makes a Historic Migration
In the waters off the coast of Boavista, Cabo Verde, we fitted several tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier) with satellite tags to track their movements in the eastern tropical Atlantic Ocean. Tiger sharks are renowned for their expansive habitat range across tropical and temperate seas. However, one particular shark, affectionately named Calema, accomplished an extraordinary feat by embarking on a journey from Cabo Verde to Brazil and back. Calema's expedition represented the first documented transatlantic return trip for her species, offering valuable insights into tiger shark behavior in Cabo Verde and beyond. This journey suggests that tiger shark residency in Cabo Verde may be transient, possibly associated with reproductive or foraging activities.
News: https://maralliance.org/calema-or-52-the-amazing-transatlantic-migratory-tiger-shark/
News: https://maralliance.org/calema-or-52-the-amazing-transatlantic-migratory-tiger-shark/
2019
Lend Your Voice to Sharks Campaign
Honduras boasts the exclusive distinction of hosting Latin America's sole Shark Sanctuary. Despite this notable achievement, public awareness regarding the sanctuary's significance remained limited, with many Hondurans lacking comprehension of the imperative to protect sharks and rays. The "Prestá tu Voz al Tiburón" (Lend your voice to sharks) campaign was crafted to galvanize support for shark and ray conservation within the sanctuary's boundaries and reduce the demand for illegally sourced meat. The campaign included the debut of a landmark shark exhibit at the Museum of National Identity (MIN) and the creation of a song by Honduran artist Polache, further amplifying its reach and impact. (Soundcloud)/
News: https://maralliance.org/lend-your-voice-to-sharks/
News: https://maralliance.org/lend-your-voice-to-sharks/
Fisheries Assessment of the Guna Yala, Panama
In our third year of working with fishers in Guna Yala, we expanded our original goal of developing local capacities for controlling lionfish populations into a holistic program striving towards the development of a deeper understanding of the state of fisheries and fish populations in relation to community needs and challenges. Extensive interviews revealed that fish populations have changed significantly over time, with fewer total fish and smaller individuals being caught now compared to decades prior. Insights derived from these interviews underpinned our advocacy strategies to move fisheries towards sustainability and better food security in the Comarca.
News: https://maralliance.org/community-champions-guna-sea-savior-leyson-navarro/
News: https://maralliance.org/community-champions-guna-sea-savior-leyson-navarro/
2020
Gillnet Ban in Belize
Belize achieved significant milestones in conservation with the passage of a crucial law. Our advocacy, expertise, and collaborative work in the formed Coalition for Sustainable Fishing were key in Belize’s legislated national ban on gillnets. This momentous legislation is expected to have far-reaching positive outcomes for many species that are vulnerable to capture by gillnets, including sharks and rays, as well as commercially-important finfish populations such as snook, permit, and bonefish.
News https://maralliance.org/making-a-net-difference-to-sharks-and-rays/
News https://maralliance.org/making-a-net-difference-to-sharks-and-rays/
Central America's Pioneer Shark Exhibit
Our groundbreaking exhibit debuted at Honduras's Museum of National Identity, spotlighting the indispensable role of sharks in the nation's ecosystem. Despite the museum's subsequent closure due to the pandemic, the exhibit has found a new home at the Museum of Natural Sciences at the National Autonomous University of Honduras. It was seamlessly integrated into the university’s academic curriculum, ensuring continued student education. The exhibit will be updated and be featured as a traveling educational material, complementing ongoing outreach activities in Honduras and throughout the region.
Pivoting to Assist Fishing Communities During the Pandemic
Amid the 2020 lockdown, vulnerable fishing communities endured severe hardships. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we provided assistance to 22 fisher families across Mexico, Belize, Honduras, Panama, and Cape Verde for five months. Additionally, we offered employment to 18 fishers once monitoring activities resumed. These individuals are not only leaders within their communities but also possess profound knowledge of the sea, demonstrating a strong commitment to understanding and safeguarding marine ecosystems. Their dedication and expertise are invaluable assets in our collective efforts towards sustainable marine conservation and the well-being of coastal communities.
News: https://maralliance.org/did-covid-give-sharks-a-break/
News: https://maralliance.org/did-covid-give-sharks-a-break/
Bridging Gaps in Remote Education During Lockdown
During the pandemic, schooling faced immense challenges. To address this, we provided tablets to school-aged children in Belize, Honduras, and Panama, enabling remote learning. This initiative aimed to mitigate the disruption caused by lockdowns and ensure educational continuity for children in these communities despite the challenging circumstances.
Tradition, Resilience and Conservation in Guna Yala, Panamá
In the heart of Guna Yala, Panama a group of indigenous women embarked on a journey to blend traditional artistry with environmental stewardship, through the creation of needlepoint Mola art masks. This initiative, born amidst the global upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic, not only provided a vital source of income but also championed sustainable fishing practices, marine conservation, and supported environmental education efforts. The Mola masks, vibrant with marine motifs, became symbols of resilience, culture, knowledge, and a commitment to Guna Yala’s well-being.
2021
1st Marine Megafauna Assessment in Coiba National Park, Panama.
A World Heritage Site, Coiba National Park has a unique history as a former penal colony, resulting in restricted human access to the island. Historically limited visitation fostered the flourishing of its natural environment, yet comprehensive studies on the park's biological diversity and large marine wildlife remain scarce. In our ongoing commitment to bridge crucial data gaps in tropical marine ecosystems, we conducted the first assessment of marine megafauna at Coiba Island, encompassing regions within and outside of the marine park’s protections. Preliminary findings reveal a notably higher abundance of sharks, rays, turtles, and large finfish within the park's confines, alongside heightened biodiversity. Of particular note were the sightings of seven ray species, including mobula rays. Also encountered were three species of sharks and two species of turtles, highlighting the importance of Coiba National Park to the biodiversity of Panama’s waters.
Shark Fishing Prohibition in Belize’s Atolls
Our proposal made to the Belize Government, in partnership with the Belize Audubon Society and with the support of local fishers, led to the sweeping prohibition of shark fishing at Belize’s three offshore atolls, Lighthouse Reef, Glover’s Reef, and Turneffe Atolls, safeguarding vital habitat and source populations of sharks for the MAR. These legislative victories underscore the effectiveness of stakeholder-driven approaches and demonstrate our commitment to preserving marine ecosystems and protecting endangered species in Belize and beyond.
Rediscovery of the Critically Endangered Largetooth Sawfish
'Aba' signifies "one" in the Emberá language of Panama's Darien province. Our blended team of biologists and fishers were the first to document the capture and release of a largetooth sawfish in Central America in over 20 years, naming it Aba. Classified as Critically Endangered, sawfish populations globally are rapidly declining, mainly due to entanglement in fishing nets. Since 2019, MarAlliance has conducted extensive research on sawfish threats with community input, revealing only 48 encounters since 2015. 'Aba,' a 130cm male largetooth sawfish, symbolizes hope. Through our local team network, six additional sawfish captures have occurred since December 2020, indicating a significant shift toward conservation efforts.
News: https://maralliance.org/catching-and-releasing-aba-in-the-waters-of-the-darien-panama/
News: https://maralliance.org/catching-and-releasing-aba-in-the-waters-of-the-darien-panama/
Deep sea discoveries
We spearheaded the first extensive study of deep-sea fisheries across the MAR, evaluating fisher perceptions, historical data, and species vulnerable to overfishing. The study revealed that deep-sea fisheries emerged in the 1970s, primarily targeting snapper in Mexico, Belize, and Honduras, and shark and grouper in Guatemala. Fishers predominantly engaged in direct consumer sales, with Honduras being the sole country boasting a robust export market for deepwater fish. As coastal fisheries decline and fishing efforts shift deeper, posing threats of larger-scale exploitation, these baselines are crucial for monitoring, managing, and mitigating emerging risks to fish and fisheries.
News: https://maralliance.org/fishing-down-the-reef-slope/
News: https://maralliance.org/fishing-down-the-reef-slope/
2022
Shark Superhighway featured on CNN
For sharks, turtles and rays in the Caribbean, the Mesoamerican Reef – which spans more than 600 miles from Mexico to Honduras – is a busy highway. Our feature on CNN International's "Call to Earth: Protecting Nature’s Highways" marked a significant milestone, amplifying globally our mission and work protecting marine megafauna. The episode not only spotlighted the importance of the Mesoamerican Reef as a shark “Superhighway”, but also showcased the unwavering dedication of our local fisher partners in safeguarding shark populations.
News: A shark ‘superhighway’ is being protected by fishermen | CNN
News: A shark ‘superhighway’ is being protected by fishermen | CNN
Initiation of the Coiba Landings Program, Panama
We launched a community research program in two areas to monitor fine-scale and small-scale fisheries landings. Local monitors were trained to record samples, aiming to establish a comprehensive database for informed decision-making. Our team diligently records data daily, documenting species' scientific names and lengths for analysis and the findings are shared with community fisher associations to identify trends and explore adaptive management strategies. The program has revealed remarkable species diversity and productivity, including little-known endangered species near Coiba National Park, and by empowering community members in research and offering alternative income opportunities, we foster sustainability and active stewardship.
2023
Setting Records: Unprecedented Shark Tagging Success
A record number of sharks, including two great hammerheads and a lemon shark, were tagged at Turneffe and Lighthouse Reef Atolls in Belize. The promising trend, which was documented during the course of our decades-long studies of these populations, underscores that local protections and decreased fishing can have rapid positive effects. The presence of hammerheads and lemon sharks, previously absent, suggests a positive trend in their repopulation within marine protected areas. This underscores conservation effectiveness and highlights the need for ongoing monitoring and protection measures for these vulnerable species.
The Release of Four Critically Endangered Sawfish by Traditional Fishers
The release of four critically endangered sawfish by traditional fishers, now Community Science Investigators (CSI), in the remote Darién, Panama, serves as a compelling demonstration of behavioral transformation and community commitment to marine conservation. This amazing accomplishment showcases the importance and invaluable role indigenous knowledge palys in research and conservation.
MarAlliance’s Metaverse Exhibit: Inspired by the Gaming World
At MarAlliance, we are committed to fostering innovation and actively embracing emerging technological trends, and our exhibit was designed to offer users an interactive experience and aims to immerse everyone in an educational and engaging virtual environment, with eye-catching visuals and videos that showcase information about marine megafauna species and the marine conservation work we do.
News: https://maralliance.org/maralliances-metaverse-exhibit-inspired-by-the-gaming-world/
News: https://maralliance.org/maralliances-metaverse-exhibit-inspired-by-the-gaming-world/
Groundbreaking Discoveries in Male Sea Turtle Research
Our ongoing research on the spatial ecology of male sea turtles is yielding a groundbreaking comprehension of turtle movement patterns in the Western Caribbean, fundamentally reshaping our understanding of residency and mating site preferences. This research is catalyzing collaborative initiatives across regional boundaries aimed at bolstering conservation efforts.
News: https://maralliance.org/why-are-we-interested-in-monitoring-male-sea-turtles/
News: https://maralliance.org/why-are-we-interested-in-monitoring-male-sea-turtles/
First Global Team Meeting
With almost full team attendance, including esteemed board members and the majority of our fisher and indigenous associates, this gathering was instrumental in strategizing, sharing lessons learned, and fostering personal connections. Set against the backdrop of Panama's beauty, in our first international team meeting we planned our course and united in purpose and vision.
Your donation supports our efforts
Every donation we receive will be wisely invested to help us protect and research threatened marine wildlife, their critical habitats, and dependent human communities.
We are currently active in 5 countries around the world
We have engaged with over 5,000 students through our marine educational programs
We have worked closely with over 300 fishers in 27 coastal communities
We research over 50 marine species with a focus on coastal sharks, rays and turtles and large finfish.