November brought the full force of the rainy season to Roatan, reminiscent of the stormy beginnings of 2016 and 2017. The island experienced heavy rains and persistent winds from the north, significantly hindering our efforts on the water. Despite these challenges, we were grateful that Tropical Storm Sara bypassed Roatan, though we kept the mainland in our thoughts as it faced the brunt of the storm.
Anchoring Protection: Marine Infrastructure
The turbulent weather didn't deter our team's dedication to maintaining and improving the island's marine infrastructure. This month, 12 moorings were serviced, ensuring safer diving and boating experiences.
On the West End, we maintained moorings at popular dive sites like Todd's Last Dance, Pop N Bubbles, Puncher's Paradise, Deep Seaquest, Inside Luna Beach, Philipper's Peace, Chloe Bean's Canyons, Schaeftown, and Mack's Wall.
On the South Side, Daniel's Dream, Rick's Romance, and Karen's Octopus Garden received much-needed new chains and ropes. Additionally, we replaced over a dozen makeshift bleach bottle markers with durable PVC pipe buoys, a significant step toward more sustainable and effective marine markers across the island.
One heartwarming highlight this month was the dedication of a new dive site. A passionate diver, Mary Hampton purchased a site and named it Andres' Valhalla in memory of her dear friend and dive buddy. The site, located just east of the world-famous Mary's Place near Barefoot Key, now represents their shared love for the underwater world.
Looking ahead, we aim to replace even more bleach bottles used as markers on the South Side with PVC pipes. This upgrade is crucial when boat traffic often damages the moorings, pulling chains free. By investing in better materials, we aim to ensure a longer-lasting infrastructure that supports marine safety and reef protection.
The efforts to maintain moorings and replace makeshift markers with durable materials are essential to protecting Roatan's fragile reef ecosystem. Moorings prevent boats from anchoring directly on coral reefs, which can cause irreparable damage. Improving infrastructure ensures safer waters for divers, sustainable tourism, and long-term reef health.
If you encounter a missing marker, please snap a photo, note the location, and report it to info@roatanmarinepark.org.
Tackling Lionfish: Workshops and Challenges
Last month was quieter than usual for our lionfish workshops, with 28 divers and one snorkeler getting certified to hunt this invasive species. Workshops were held weekly at Cocoview, Turquoise Bay, and West End. However, unpredictable weather, including strong north swells, often made Half Moon Bay inaccessible and impacted attendance.
Whether you're visiting Roatan for a week or are lucky enough to call it home, our workshops are a great way to join the fight against lionfish. Avid hunters are always welcome, and if you're traveling with a dive group, let us know—we'll work with your dive shop to make it happen!
Tackling the invasive lionfish population is critical for preserving the biodiversity of our reefs. Lionfish prey on native species and disrupt the balance of marine ecosystems. Every diver certified to hunt lionfish contributes to this vital conservation effort.
We had been planning a Lionfish Cook-Off at San Simon as a festive end to the year, but with the holidays approaching, many restaurants are fully booked. As a result, we've decided to postpone the event until early next year. If you're interested in participating, please reach out to indira.brooks@roatanmarinepark.org.
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