Q1 2026 | Marine Research & Ecosystem Restoration
- BICA
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
The Bay Islands are home to some of the most biodiverse reefs in the Caribbean. Keeping them that way takes constant work. Here's what we've been up to.
Lionfish Derby 2026, Utila
The Lionfish Derby is an environmental, sporting, and culinary event centered on the capture and utilization of the lionfish (Pterois volitans), an invasive species that poses a significant threat to marine biodiversity across the Caribbean. The tournament brings together awareness, responsible fishing, and community participation under one shared purpose.
This year's event featured three main components. The fishing tournament brought together divers and fishermen in a competition to catch the largest number of lionfish, while simultaneously collecting biological data to better understand how the species is affecting the reef. Informational booths run by co-managers offered visitors a chance to learn more about the issue. Games and recreational activities kept the community engaged throughout the event.
The cook-off added a culinary dimension to the derby; a competition among local restaurants that prepared small tasting portions using lionfish fillets as a protein source. The goal: promote the removal of the species from the reef and encourage its daily consumption as a sustainable alternative. For each of the 130 lionfish removed from the reef, data were recorded including morphometric measurements and gonad examinations to gain a deeper understanding of the population's ecology on our reefs.
Lionfish removed: 130 Data recorded per fish: Morphometric measurements + gonad exams
Coral Restoration at Roatan
The coral out-planting initiative led by BICA in Roatan responds to a crisis that has unfolded across the Caribbean a significant decline in coral reefs driven by widespread coral diseases and mounting environmental stressors. The initiative focuses on restoring reef health and resilience by propagating and transplanting resilient Acropora species back into degraded reef areas.
The program has three specific objectives: increasing live coral coverage, enhancing genetic diversity through the careful selection of healthy donor colonies, and strengthening reef resilience to disease and climate impacts. Through this work, BICA aims to contribute to the long-term recovery of Roatan's reef ecosystems while building local capacity for sustainable marine conservation.
Lobster and Conch Monitoring
Bay Islands National Marine Park
This monitoring effort was created to address a real gap: the lack of reliable information on economically important species. Developed in dialogue with Indigenous communities, the program aims to evaluate potential changes to regulations within the Bay Islands National Marine Park.
The data being collected helps us understand how populations of lobster and conch change over time and across different areas of the park, supporting better decision-making for their management and conservation. The program began in mid-2024 and already encompasses two years of data (2024–2026). Currently, three monitoring campaigns are underway, one on each island, with the active support of trained volunteers who contribute meaningfully to this effort.
These efforts are made possible through collaboration with the Coral Reef Alliance, the LifeWeb Initiative, and the Instituto Nacional de Conservación Forestal (ICF), including support from FAPVs.
None of this happens without the divers, volunteers, local restaurants, Indigenous communities, and partner organizations that make each of these efforts possible. The reef is a shared resource, and protecting it is a shared responsibility.
