Behind the Scenes of Marine Conservation: A Day in the Field With MarAlliance
Almost every child who once declared, “I want to be a marine biologist!” was dreaming of a big, blue adventure. The kind with sun-lit coral gardens full of colorful fish, gentle sea turtles cruising by, and sharks gliding like guardians of the deep. Few imagine the dawn wake-ups, the salt-sprayed data sheets, or the heart-pounding […]
The Art of Underwater Photography: Rick Miskiv Shares Expert Tips
The ocean has a way of rewriting our sense of possibility. For Rick Miskiv, talented underwater photographer and owner/designer of 22degrees, that sense of wonder began not in the depths but at the edge of the Atlantic. “I was maybe six or seven, riding with my parents near Atlantic City,” he recalls. “There was this […]
Discovering Sharks: Taxonomy and Conservation Workshop in Tela, Honduras
Every conservation effort starts with a crucial step: identifying the species we want to protect. With this in mind, the city of Tela, Honduras, served as the venue for our Shark Taxonomy and Conservation Workshop, which brought together experts in the study and protection of marine species in the region. This event was made possible […]
Hope for the Oceans: Green Sea Turtle No Longer Endangered
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has officially reclassified the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) from Endangered to Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, announced at the 2025 IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi. This is a landmark moment in marine conservation and a powerful reminder of what […]
Celebrating Oceans Month: A Journey Through Marine Conservation in Panama
Every September, Oceans Month reminds Panamenians about their deep connection to the sea and the importance of protecting our marine ecosystems. In Panama, a country surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, with unique marine biodiversity, this date takes on special meaning. At MarAlliance, we work to conserve marine megafauna and protect mangroves, […]
Tracking Panama’s Sawfish: Rediscovering a Lost Giant
Once widespread across tropical waters, the largetooth sawfish (Pristis pristis) has disappeared from much of its historical range. This Critically Endangered species – one of the ocean’s most distinctive rays – has suffered severe declines due to habitat loss, accidental capture in fisheries, and the illegal wildlife trade. For more than two decades, MarAlliance has […]
The Secret Life of Belize’s Mangrove Ecosystems: Key Nurseries for Juvenile Fish
They support remarkable biodiversity and deliver critical ecosystem services that sustain both marine and terrestrial life. Mangroves protect shorelines from erosion, filter water, provide nesting and roosting sites for birds, and, most importantly, act as nurseries for nursing and juvenile fish. While their global ecological value is well recognized, detailed scientific data on the role […]
Is the Underwater World as Silent as We Think?
For centuries, the ocean has been imagined as a place of silence. Divers will tell you it feels peaceful beneath the waves, a calm world where light fades and sound seems to vanish. Popular culture reinforces the image: serene blue expanses interrupted only by the songs of whales or the playful clicks of dolphins. But […]
Peggy’s Journey: A Tale of Hope, Homecomings, and Hard Choices for Sea Turtles
It’s been 30 years since I last touched this beach. My name is Peggy, and when I was just a tiny loggerhead hatchling -barely the size of your palm- I scrambled out of the warm sand and made a desperate dash to the sea. I remember the grit between my flippers, the ghost crab that […]
How Does Mangrove Loss Threaten Coastal Ecosystems and Community Livelihoods?
Mangrove loss represents a growing threat to coastal ecosystems and the livelihoods of millions of people around the world. These marine-coastal ecosystems, critical for biodiversity conservation, climate change protection and food security, are disappearing at an alarming rate due to urban sprawl, deforestation, pollution and pressure from unsustainable industries. Mangrove degradation not only weakens the […]
Built to Thrive: The Evolutionary Wonders of Shark Anatomy
Sharks first appeared in the fossil record nearly 400 million years ago, long before dinosaurs or the first trees took root. Today, more than a thousand shark and ray species are known to science, with new discoveries still emerging each year. Their remarkable longevity and diversity testify to a lineage finely tuned to life in the […]
Sawfish: Shark or Ray?
Sawfishes are fascinating and enigmatic animals that, at first glance, resemble sharks due to their elongated bodies, triangular dorsal fins, and shark-like tails. However, these unique fishes are members of the superorder Batoidea, the group of elasmobranchs that includes stingrays and guitarfish. Why are Sawfishes Classified as Rays? Despite their resemblance to sharks, sawfishes possess […]
New Hammerhead Species Discovered
When we hear about a new species discovery, we often picture a rare animal that has defied capture or sightings for years. However, many new species descriptions arise from scientists applying both new and existing knowledge to animals that are already known. This includes examining their body structure, genetics, behavior, and interactions with their environment. […]
A Shark Diversity Hotspot Revealed in Cabo Verde
MarAlliance has conducted a pioneering study to explore the relative diversity and abundance of shark species within the Cabo Verde archipelago. Our latest publication stands as the first baseline study of shark populations in Cabo Verde’s waters, providing critical insights into the biodiversity and ecological significance of these marine predators. The Cabo Verde archipelago, consisting […]
A Beacon of Hope: Transforming Marine Conservation in Belize
Belize, renowned for housing the second-largest barrier reef in the world and three of the four atolls in the Western Hemisphere, is recognized as a hotspot for marine biodiversity and a vital area for ocean conservation efforts. At the heart of this marine paradise is Lighthouse Reef Atoll, celebrated for its crystal-clear waters and captivating […]
Inspiring Change: Engaging Students in Marine Conservation in Belize
Since Turneffe Atoll was designated as a Marine Reserve in 2012 by Minister Lisel Alamilla, it has become a hub for tourism and research. At MarAlliance, we’ve been deeply involved in studying this unique ecosystem, focusing on fisheries and the economic value of Turneffe’s environmental assets. Thanks to the support from the BIOPAMA program, we’ve […]