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PROTECTION& surveillance
The Protection and Surveillance Program at BICA Utila aims to reduce the pressure on marine and coastal ecosystem of the Bay Islands National Marine Park (BINMP) by carrying out patrols around Utila.
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Marine patrols are carried out year-round around the island and with special effort in the Fisheries Restoration Areas and around Turtle Harbor and Pumpkin Hill. The coastal patrol takes place from 9pm to 4am from June to October (sea turtle nesting season) at Pumpkin Hill and aims to prevent poaching and theft of turtle eggs and to learn how often turtles arrive at the nesting beaches.
The purpose of the protection and surveillance program through marine patrols is to avoid or minimize the destruction and irrational use of natural resources (biotic and abiotic) caused by anthropogenic factors (destruction of ecosystems, pollution), environmental factors or climate change.
The coastal patrol consists of the execution of night patrols on the beaches where sea turtles nest, in order to avoid poaching and theft of their eggs, at the same time data is recorded to know the frequency with which the turtles arrive on the beaches, the exhumation of each of the nests is carried out in order to know the percentage of hatching success and to ensure the protection of the hatchlings until they reach the sea.
Ways to Give
Join us in protecting the stunning marine and coastal biodiversity of the Bay Islands in Honduras by supporting our conservation efforts and safeguarding the future of our oceans for generations to come.
Founded in 1990 by concerned citizens, the Bay Islands Conservation Association (BICA) is a grassroots organization dedicated to safeguarding the future well-being of the Bay Islands, Honduras. It is a private, non-profit entity coordinating and initiating efforts to protect the islands' delicate natural resources. To effectively carry out its operations, BICA has established three strategically located chapters on each island—Utila, Roatan, and Guanaja. Additionally, it has recently expanded to Tampa, FL, where it has obtained official 501c3 status to facilitate donations from interested individuals and groups.
With over 30 years of experience, BICA has successfully implemented various programs and projects in the Bay Islands, focusing on environmental education, community development, protection, and research & monitoring. Since 1994, BICA has entered into a co-management agreement with the Institute of Forestry Conservation and Wildlife (ICF) to jointly manage the marine and terrestrial protected areas in the Bay Islands of Honduras.
