Lighthouse Reef Atoll – Belize
MarAlliance has been conducting research at Lighthouse Reef Atoll on an annual basis since 2007. We use scientific longline, Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV), and snorkel underwater visual census (UVC) to analyze long-term trends in the abundance of sharks, rays, turtles, and large finfish. We work in partnership with local fishers, university students, and other […]
Deep-Sea Sharks Belize, Honduras
Since 2015, MarAlliance has been conducting research into the deep- sea sharks that inhabit the MesoAmerican Reef (MAR). We use a combination of scientific vertical longline and a specially-designed baited remote underwater video (BRUV) to investigate the abundance and distribution of these little-studies species in depths greater than 150 meters.
Nurse Shark Population Shark and Ray Alley San Pedro, Belize
MarAlliance has been studying the nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) population at the Hol Chan Marine Reserve Zone D since 2014. The aggregation site, also known as Shark and Ray Alley, is a popular site for tourists. Tour operators use bait to attract the sharks to their boats to give guests close encounters with the sharks […]
Baseline BRUV Surveys, Eastern Cabo Verde
We have monitored marine megafauna in Eastern Cabo Verde around the islands of Boavista, Maio and Sal since 2015. Working with traditional fishers and students we use baited remote under video (BRUV) deployed systematically around the islands based on a spokes-on-a-wheel design, that generated a baseline of abundance and distribution of sharks, rays and large […]
Mega-Planktivore Monitoring Boavista, Cabo Verde
We have monitored the seasonal abundance and distribution of whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) and oceanic manta rays (Mobula birostris) around the island of Boavista, Cabo Verde, since 2015. Fisher and boat-based surveys with traditional artisanal fishers have revealed the SW quadrant to be the seasonal focus of mega-planktivores between June and October. Trained in-water observers […]
Tiger Shark Spatial Ecology Northeastern Cabo Verde
We have surveyed large-bodied coastal sharks in northeastern Cabo Verde since 2016, with a focus on the higher trophic predator – the tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier). Using standardized scientific fishing techniques we capture, measure, sex, tag and release large animals. We have also deployed 12 fin-mounted SPOT tags to study their spatial ecology. To date […]
Nursery Area Monitoring Boavista, Cabo Verde
In 2015 MarAlliance identified the area known as the Baía de Sal Rei in northwestern Boavista, Cabo Verde as being used as a nursery area for several shark species. In 2016, we began monitoring work with a focus on the endangered scalloped hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini). We use standardized scientific fishing techniques that allow us […]
Niños del Mar Honduras
Our class based and experiential environmental education program in Honduras began in 2016 known as “Kids Meet Sharks” that focused on west Roatán to start with. By the end of 2019 we have worked with all schools in the 3 Bay Islands and other departments of Honduras. We also changed the project’s name changed to […]
Deep-Sea Fisheries MesoAmerican Region
Deep-sea fishing was established in Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras at least 80 years ago, while the fishery in Belize began within the last 20 years. The barrier reef and offshore atolls of Belize are still quite productive, while the Bay Islands of Honduras are likely overfished. Fishers in Guatemala are the only in the region […]