Control of Lionfish in the Mesoamerican Reef

With the purpose of supporting and strengthening capacities for women-led groups in the Mesoamerican Reef System (MAR), we find ourselves in the turquoise waters of Xcalak Reefs National Park, in the south of Quintana Roo, Mexico. With its light sandy beaches and beautiful corals, Xcalak faces the presence of an unwanted predator, the invasive Lionfish species.

The Lionfish being a predatory carnivore venomous fish from the indopacific had no natural predators in the Mesoamerican Reef at the beginning f the invasion, this is why our involvement in eradicating this species is important for other fish species and fishers who depend on this resource. Here is where we come in, to support in the eradication of Lionfish we are working together with the Xcal’arte women group. A group that skillfully transforms the invasive Lionfish into stunning works of art, turning what once was a destructive force into a symbol of resilience and creativity; each piece of jewelry embodying their love for the reef.

We will not only be strengthening them through training and equipment, but we will also support their economic venture, while caring for the health and resilience of the marine and coastal ecosystems in the MAR.

The results we aim to achieve through this support will be:

• Equipment to strengthen their administration and activities programming is acquired. 
• Materials needed to create jewelry are purchased.
• Lionfish invasion training update and the importance of creating lionfish jewelry is delivered.

This support has been able thanks to the Summit Foundation and your involvement, so come with us as we reclaim beauty from adversity and combat the ecological threat posed by this deadly species.

We will keep you posted on how this support develops.

Thank you

The MAR Fund Team

Moving to the northern coast of Honduras we find ourselves in the Tela Bay, known for its spectacular coral reefs, it is home to more than 800 endangered corals. To protect the variety of corals and other marine species present in the bay, the government of Honduras established the Bahía de Tela Marine Wildlife Refuge (RVSMBT, in Spanish) in 2017.

Although this area is protected, this paradise on earth faces a threat. The presence of lionfish has damaged the cycle of other commercially important species, affecting the density of the fish and the community’s livelihood.

To support in the protection of the bay, funds will be provided to one of the co-managers of the protected area, the Amigos de los Arrecifes de Tela (AMATELA). Their purpose is the conservation and sustainable use of the coastal marine resources of the RVSMBT, while contributing to the development of the stakeholder communities.

AMATELA will seek assistance from a neighboring organization, Roatan Marine Park (RMP), an organization with experience in dealing with lionfish and will be trained and certified in the hunting of the invasive species. The objective of this training is:

• To contribute to the increase in fish populations within the RVSMBT through the strengthening of co-managers and fishermen.

AMATELA will be trained in lionfish capture and harpoon use and safety, and move forward in achieving the objective of contributing to the increase of herbivores and commercially important fish species.

The continued support in the region to control lionfish, has been able thanks to your help.

We appreciate your trust in us.

We´ll keep you posted on how things develop.

Thank you

The MAR Fund Team.