Control of Lionfish in the Mesoamerican Reef

Working with partners in Mexico, we have been able to open the doors to nature-based solution projects linkable to markets. With this approach in mind, Sureste Sostenible (SS), our partner that promotes the Mesoamerican Reef Leadership Program (MAR-L) and Build & Connect program, an initiative that develops young talent from the four countries of the Mesoamerican Reef System (MAR): Mexico, Belize, Honduras, and Guatemala. This program provides technical capabilities, leadership skills, and networking opportunities to implement projects for the conservation and sustainable use of marine and coastal resources.

As part of the program, SS is seeking to support the development of nature-based solutions (NbS) projects linkable to markets that allow biodiversity and ecosystem conservation approaches and sustainable socio-economic development. Pursuing this objective, SS was able to open a call for proposals for this kind of projects and a proposal called “Lionfish Jewelry Market on Utila” was presented. This project aims to establish a lionfish jewelry market in the Bay Islands in Honduras, incorporating women into the local economy, by empowering women from Utila contributing to the conservation of the MAR.

The objectives of this project are:

• Identifying popular styles, pieces, and models to develop an inventory and catalog of high-quality and attractive lionfish jewelry for sale.
• Establishing alliances with diving centers from Utila to donate lionfish fins to the project.
• Identifying places to distribute lionfish jewelry on Utila and organize themed events such as Christmas bazaars.
• Creating a marketing plan, which includes the creation of a logo and presence on social networks, for the distribution of jewelry in Roatán, Guanaja and Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
• Conducting two lionfish hunting trips monthly by the women of the project.

This project aims to empower women by providing them with the space needed to create unique jewelry for sale, contributing to the efforts to manage the invasive lionfish in Honduras and integrating women into the local economy.

Continued support in the region to manage this invasive species and create opportunities for local women is a cause we are committed to.

We will keep you posted on the progress of this project

The MAR Fund Team