Honduras is widely recognized for its lush, mountainous landscapes and extraordinary terrestrial biodiversity. However, few are aware that the country’s maritime territory significantly exceeds its land area. 

Approximately 68% of Honduras’s territory is composed of marine waters, predominantly in the Caribbean Sea. This vast aquatic expanse provides an essential habitat for a diverse array of marine wildlife, including numerous shark and ray species.

The northern coastline of Honduras spans over 820 kilometers (510 miles), encompassing the three iconic Bay Islands – Utila, Roatán, and Guanaja. Additionally, ​Honduras’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) encompasses approximately 249,542 square kilometers. This maritime area significantly surpasses the nation’s land area of about 112,492 square kilometers, highlighting the country’s extensive marine territory, which offers a dynamic range of marine ecosystems. These include mangrove forests, sandy beaches, and vibrant coral reefs, which collectively support more than 50 known species of sharks and rays, with many more likely awaiting discovery in the deep sea.

Honduras: Central America’s Sole Shark Sanctuary

As Central America’s only designated shark sanctuary, Honduras plays a pivotal role in regional shark conservation efforts. With the potential to become a global model for marine protection, understanding the species that inhabit these waters is critical. Below, we highlight some of the most common shark species found in Honduras, along with their ecological importance and conservation status.

Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus): The Gentle Giant of the Bay Islands

The whale shark is the world’s largest fish species, and was once frequently observed in the Bay Islands. In recent years, sightings have declined – mirroring trends observed in neighboring Belize. While the precise causes remain uncertain, scientists suspect the decrease may be linked to the loss of critical food sources, particularly fish spawning aggregations. The impacts of climate change and other environmental pressures cannot be ruled out.

Caribbean Reef Shark (Carcharhinus perezi): Sentinel of Coral Ecosystems

The Caribbean reef shark is the only true reef-associated shark species in the Caribbean Sea. These sharks are typically found around coral reefs and are classified as Endangered due to habitat degradation, overfishing, and their restricted distribution. While most commonly encountered in the Bay Islands, they are also present at nearshore reef systems such as Tela on the mainland coast.

Hammerhead Sharks: Masters of Sensory Navigation

Honduran waters are home to three species of hammerhead sharks:

• Great hammerhead (Sphyrna mokarran)
• Scalloped hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini)
• Shovelnose hammerhead (Sphyrna alleni)

These species are renowned for their unique head structures, which enhance electroreception and stereoscopic vision. While the larger species frequent both reef environments and deep offshore waters, the shovelnose hammerhead is primarily coastal.

Other Sharks and Rays of the Honduran Caribbean

Additional shark species present in Honduran waters include:

• Nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) – a nocturnal bottom-dweller
• Lemon shark (Negaprion brevirostris) – commonly found in mangrove habitats
• Caribbean sharpnose shark (Rhizoprionodon porosus) – a small coastal species

Among the ray species, notable residents include the striking spotted eagle ray (Aetobatus narinari), the Caribbean whiptail stingray (Styracura schmardae), and the elegant southern stingray (Hypanus americanus).

Bridging Knowledge Gaps Through Marine Research

Despite this impressive biodiversity, scientific knowledge of shark and ray populations in Honduras remains limited. To address this gap, we are launching the country’s first comprehensive coastal shark survey. 

By combining traditional research techniques with environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis, our study aims to establish the first baseline dataset on shark populations in northern Honduras. This data will be instrumental in evaluating the effectiveness of the national shark sanctuary and will inform the management plans of marine protected areas (MPAs) along the north coast.