Roatan Divers' Conservation Efforts... Help us to conserve the beautiful marine environment around Roatan island by supporting the Roatan Marine Park organization...
We are committed to helping conserve the spectacular diving environment around Roatan island and we assist Roatan's Marine Park organization in many ways. As a member of the Marine Park, we encourage our divers to interact responsibly with Roatan's underwater environment. We ask that our divers pay a voluntary contribution for diving in the Marine Park, which goes towards protecting Roatan's dive sites. We also help out with the Marine Park organizaion's regular beach and underwater cleanups and report missing mooring buoys and violations to the Marine Park Code. Our PADI Dive Masters and Instructors actively participate in their LionFish Control Program. You can help by...
Roatan's Marine Park Organization...
The Roatan Marine Park (RMP) is a non-profit organization located on the island of Roatan, 50 kilometers off the mainland coast of Honduras. It was formed in January 2005 when a group of concerned diving operators and local businesses united in an effort to protect Roatan’s fragile coral reefs. At present, the RMP, together with the Bay Islands Conservation Association (BICA), co-manages the Reserve, which is a nationally recognised marine protected area located along the northwest coast of Roatan. The RMP runs a broad range of activities to protect Roatan’s natural resources, including patrols and infrastructure, education, conservation and public awareness.With a rapidly developing island, the number of challenges they face increases every day. They are focusing on engaging diverse community stakeholders to aid in developing solutions that can ensure long-term, sustainable management of our natural resources.
Roatan Divers' Lionfish Control Program... We are helping Roatan's Marine Park organization keep the number of this invasive species down when we spot lionfish while diving...
Lionfish are not native to Roatan, so we help out in an organised culling program while diving to keeps numbers down! Lionfish were accidentally released into the Atlantic from Biscayne Bay Florida in 1992 following hurricane Andrew. Genetic analysis reveals that Lionfish in the Caribbean have likely all originated from this population. In their native waters they reproduce once per year, but with the consistent warm temperatures of the Caribbean they reproduce monthly. Lionfish population densities in non-native waters have been found to be as much as 15 times higher than normal.Venomous dorsal, ventral, and anal spines prevent local predator fish from consuming lionfish. In addition to fish, lionfish feed on a variety of invertebrates and crustaceans. Lionfish are suction feeders that consume their prey whole and are capable of eating creatures up to half their own body size.
Get in touch with the diving team at Roatan Divers...
We're happy to answer any questions you may have about scuba diving with us or taking any of our PADI diving courses. We are always on hand to give you valuable advice on how to make the most of your diving vacation on the beautiful Caribbean island of Roatan. Simply contact us for more information or to make your reservation...
