Conservation Efforts on Roatan

Despite massive development which is clearly having an impact on the environment and, in particular, on marine life, efforts toward marine conservation and developing a sustainable development plan are underway. The Bay Islands Conservation Association (BICA) has been placed in charge of maintaining a marine reserve which stretches from Lawsons Rock Point around the Western tip of the island. Many of the diving resorts on the island charge a small fee of divers which goes to the protection of the marine reserve. Spear fishing, collecting lobster, anchoring boats, and touching the coral are all prohibited in the park. Moors have been placed at heavily used dive sites to prevent anchor damage and many of the resorts orient guests to the regulations which apply within the reserve and provide reminders of the importance of caring for the reef.

Two other agencies are actively involved in conservation and sustainable development in Roatan. The first is APRODIB which focuses primarily on terrestrial development. This organization has been working to develop land preserves and to reforest many of the portions of the island which were deforested when land was cleared for cattle.

An area on the eastern portion of the island currently being reforested.

The second major agency is the Inter-American Bank development project. The island of Roatan has recently been given a 23.5 million dollar loan to develop a sewage system, a clear water system, a more extensive marine preserve and a terrestrial park.