[Coral-List] Swan Islands, Honduras

[Curtis Kruer]

here's a thought.  Let's apply the American model to coral reef protection 
there.  In the heart of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary a 
proposal is now being seriously considered to again dredge and expand the 
long access channel into Key West Harbor to accommodate mega cruise ships.. 
It was just deepened a few years ago to allow easier passage by cruise ships 
and Navy vessels.  Of course the channel is very near to patch and other 
reefs offshore Key West and passes through the fringing reef 5 miles 
offshore.  Turbidity from passing large vessels has long been a source of 
degradation offshore from Key West.  Seagrass flats near Key West have been 
sliced up by boats for many years.

So, I hope those concerned about Swan Island  many miles away will also 
strive to protect those coral reef ecosystems that are a bit closer to home 
here in the US.   There's no place better suited and in need of expanded 
MPAs then locations like the Swan Islands, and the Florida Keys.

Keep up the good exchanges coral_list.

Curtis Kruer
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Szmant, Alina" <szmanta at uncw.edu>
To: "Andrés Alegría" <aalegria at icf.gob.hn>; <Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov>
Sent: Wednesday, March 24, 2010 10:33 PM
Subject: Re: [Coral-List] Swan Islands, Honduras


I did a quick read of the report and they are suggesting a cruise ship 
terminal to support some form of ecotourism.  The island is tiny, a few 
miles long at most and less than a mile wide.  Mentioned in the report was 
building of hotels, restaurants etc on the larger island.  Ecological 
mistake!  Mistake!  Mistake!  Leave the place alone.  Do people have to 
trample on every spec of land even hundreds of kms in the middle of nowhere? 
I hope Honduran NGOs will fight to prevent such development of a major bird 
and turtle nesting site, and possibly less impacted coral reefs (if 
bleaching hasn't hit the area).

Alina Szmant

**********************************************
Dr. Alina M. Szmant
Professor of Marine Biology
Coral Reef Research Program,
Center for Marine Science,
University of North Carolina Wilmington
5600 Marvin K. Moss Lane
Wilmington NC 28409
Tel:  (910)962-2362; fax: (910)962-2410;  cell:  (910)200-3913
 http://people.uncw.edu/szmanta
**********************************************


-----Original Message-----
From: coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov 
[mailto:coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov] On Behalf Of Andrés Alegría
Sent: Tuesday, March 23, 2010 10:10 AM
To: Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
Subject: Re: [Coral-List] Swan Islands, Honduras

Mr. Bryce,

In 2007, the Honduran government published an analysis on the development
potential of Swan Islands. The document includes an overview on botanic,
zoology and marine characteristics.

It is in spanish. You may download the document "Análisis del Potencial de
Desarrollo en las Islas del Cisne" from this link:

http://hondubirding.wordpress.com/downloads/

Andrés Alegría
_________________________________________
Investigación y Monitoreo Biológico
Departamento de Áreas Protegidas / ICF
tel.:  +(504) 223-3248
skype: andres.alegria


> I'm looking for any information on the Swan Islands (Honduras) and/or
> anyone
> with interest in the Swan Islands.  Has anyone been there or know of any
> work that has been done there that someone could refer me to?
>
> Mahalos,
> Bryce
> --
> Bryce Groark
> www.livingoceanproductions.com
> 808.345.4538
> _______________________________________________
> Coral-List mailing list
> Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list
>





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