Nestled within the Gulf of Honduras, the Cayman Crown reef is a unique and critical component of the Mesoamerican Reef (MAR) system. Recently designated as a protected area, Cayman Crown boasts some of the highest coral cover within the MAR region, featuring live coral cover at an impressive 60% (Giro, 2019). This extraordinary reef serves as a central hub for marine biodiversity, connectivity, and resilience, making it vital for marine life and the surrounding communities that rely on it.
The ecological significance of the Cayman Crown goes beyond its coral health. Its distinctive bathymetry supports fish spawning aggregations (FSAs), a process crucial for maintaining healthy fish populations throughout the Gulf of Honduras. With its strategic location, Cayman Crown plays a pivotal role in connecting marine species across various life stages, ensuring the continuity and health of commercially significant fish stocks (Giró, 2019; Pérez Murcia, 2020). The high biomass of fish and other species supported by this reef is essential for the livelihoods of local communities, many of whom depend on these resources for their economic well-being.
The MAR Fish Pilot Project
With generous support from the MAR Fund, through the MAR Fish Project, CORAL and MAR Fund have partnered to formally understand and mitigate the impact of the closure of the Cayman Crown Reef as a key Fish Spawning Aggregation site. By legally protecting this reef and the livelihoods that depend on it, we are working to safeguard its biodiversity and the crucial fish stocks it supports, reducing pressures on the ecosystem and fostering sustainable fishing practices in nearby communities.
This pilot project has been built upon CORAL’s ongoing efforts to support fishers and coastal communities throughout the Honduran Caribbean. Our team has accumulated a valuable socio-economic database across 33 fishing communities in the region, enabling us to develop tools that promote sustainable fisheries management and livelihood diversification strategies. These insights, combined with CORAL and MAR Fund’s establishment of a socioeconomic baseline for Honduran fishers at Cayman Crown, set a robust foundation for crafting sustainable solutions for both the reef and the communities that rely on it.
One of our biggest learnings during the implementation of the project was to know the willingness of fishing communities to learn and change. The communities are understanding the importance of developing projects to diversify their livelihoods that implement sustainable practices to conserve and recover marine ecosystems. They know that the sustainable use of natural resources is a legacy that transcends generations and shapes a future in which both people and the planet can thrive.
Partnering with Fishers for Sustainability and Economic Resilience
The Cayman Crown initiative is structured around strengthening local fishers by equipping them with the resources and knowledge needed to diversify their income sources beyond fishing. We recognize that effective conservation requires addressing the economic needs of local communities. To this end, our project prioritizes capacity strengthening and the development of alternative livelihoods that support both marine conservation and economic resilience.
Through these focused efforts, we have successfully strengthened fishers’ associations in two key Honduran communities, equipping them with leadership skills, fund management expertise, and sustainable tourism practices. This achievement has laid the foundation for a network of legally recognized fishers’ associations, now poised to drive forward livelihood diversification strategies. By enhancing their resilience, these communities are better prepared to move beyond fishing as their only source of income.
CORAL has worked hand-in-hand with local fishers to develop and launch three livelihood diversification projects, complete with technical, logistical, and financial backing. These projects are creating sustainable economic avenues that benefit both the reef ecosystem and local communities. As these initiatives take hold, fishers are transitioning to resilient economic models that promise to lessen their dependence on fishing, helping to safeguard marine biodiversity while supporting local prosperity.
With transparency and community connection at our core, we’ve documented each phase of our work, sharing stories, visuals, and infographics that capture the impact of these efforts on local livelihoods and conservation. Our multi-language communication strategy—offered in English, Spanish, and Garifuna—ensures that every community member, as well as global supporters, can appreciate the meaningful outcomes of these projects.
What’s Next?
CORAL is dedicated to securing the sustainability of the Cayman Crown initiative beyond the project’s timeline. Our sustainability plan emphasizes strengthening local capacity, developing ecotourism and sustainable fisheries management as income sources, and establishing long-term partnerships with governmental and non-governmental organizations. By strengthening stakeholders to continue these activities independently, we aim to ensure that the benefits of our efforts extend well into the future.
The Cayman Crown project is a landmark initiative in the Mesoamerican Reef region, showcasing how marine conservation and community strengthening can intersect to create lasting change. Protecting this critical habitat will help maintain the biodiversity and fish populations necessary for the Gulf of Honduras, while also building the economic resilience of local communities. This dual focus on ecological and socio-economic well-being not only strengthens our conservation goals but also supports the broader vision of sustainable development for the region.
Together, through collaboration, capacity strengthening, and innovative livelihood strategies, we are working to ensure that Cayman Crown continues to thrive as a vital marine habitat—and a source of opportunity for generations to come.
