The Project
Marine Conservation and Diving Expedition in Mexico and Central America

Global Vision International has been operating two ongoing marine research projects on the Caribbean Coast of Mexico for over 4 years. Through our involvement with our Mexican partners, attendances at regional conferences on sustainable use of the reefs resources and involvement with other researchers in the region, we have identified a need to attempt to bring together research from the four countries that share coastline that the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef passes through.

GVI feel that an expedition starting in Mexico, and having it’s training phase at an established base, then moving through the countries of Belize, Guatemala and Honduras will not only be able to gather valuable data but will raise awareness for the need for the reef, and it’s resources, to be holistically managed. The expedition will aim to bring together various research groups in different countries, encourage further data sharing, standardise research methodologies and generally increase awareness of the status of this precious resource and magnificent example of natures work. GVI has been involved in many cross border initiatives to study the reef and work towards improved management strategies and feel this expedition fits well into continuing that goal.

The reefs of the Caribbean suffered considerably from the 2005 bleaching event and from the effects of an increasing amount of hurricanes and storms over recent years. The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef is under pressure from many factors including; over-fishing; un-regulated coastal development; tourism related pressures and damage such as boat anchoring and pollution; sea temperature rises resulting in coral bleaching; and increasing hurricane damage. The degradation of the natural coastline, especially the destruction of mangrove forests to make way for tourism ventures is also a major threat to the reefs health. In order to develop strategies to combat these problems and also to respond when they occur, more research and awareness of the issues is needed.

Members of this expedition will be trained in coral and/or fish identification and in recognised monitoring methodologies to assess the condition and health of aspects of the reef they will dive on in the four countries the expedition will pass through. Training, while mainly taking part in the first two/three weeks, will be ongoing and all expedition members, while expected to work hard in the area of data collection, will also be encouraged to be as involved as they would like in areas such as; data entry into computer databases; environmental education initiatives with tourists and local stakeholders; various side projects working with species such as turtles, crocodiles, manatees depending on seasons; informal English lessons and much more.

All expedition members will be expected to use their skills for the development of the programme and the staff team will assist expedition members in gaining new skills and putting them to use, these could be diving, first aid or even boat handling qualifications. Outstanding expedition members may be offered the opportunity to join the staff team on this or other marine programmes.