In Roatan island, rain waters carry a great deal of earth due to the annual fires which have left the topsoils unprotected. This muddy water reaches the sea and little by little discolors it. Also, when people subtract coral to use in plasters and for construction purposes, it stirs up large quantities of sand and other sea bottom sediments which darken the water and these sediments then settle on live coral, thus extinguishing them.
Years ago it was common to see people cutting down the mangroves for building or fuel purposes, filling in these areas thereafter with coral skeletons.
1. These mangroves serve a double purpose while protecting the Roatan island reefs.
a) Avoiding through their roots the flow of mud towards the reefs.
b) Avoiding an excess of sweet waters to flow to the reefs centers which would eventually destroy the species.
2. Sewerage discharged into the sea causes many problems for the reefs:
a) This provides nourishment for some fast reproducing organism such as the “marea roja” and rough water thistles, which prevents the bathers to swim comfortably. Besides producing bad odors, these black waters are also a threat as far as contagious diseases are concerned.
b) An excess quantity of these organisms may destroy the reefs. Sea stars for example, which eat the coral polyps, in great numbers are capable of destroying whole reefs in a matter of weeks.
3. Direst destruction of Roatan reefs: In virtually every house on the island, you may observe the remains of coral fans nailed to the walls or pieces of coral and shells used as decorations. Many people sell black coral which is very difficult to encounter and which capture the small lobsters with their eggs.
However, many environmental organizations have emerged, whose main objective is to raise awareness among the population about the protection of natural resources. One of these organizations called BICA (Bay Islands Conservation Association) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization founded in 1991 in the Bay Islands in Honduras in order to initiate and coordinate efforts in protecting the fragile natural resources of its three islands. BICA’s operation and projects are funded through the support of local individuals, businesses and national and international agencies. BICA has two chapters – one in Roatan and one in Utila.
In Roatan Five Stars we are committed to the conservation and protection of natural resources on the island of Roatan.
Youtube Channel: Roatan Five Stars
Official Website: BICA