From June 8 to 11, a training workshop was held to strengthen the skills of WCS marine teams from Colombia, Guatemala, Belize, and Honduras, along with representatives from the Bay Islands Conservation Association (BICA) Guanaja, in the use of the MERMAID platform (Marine Ecological Research Management AID). This space for training and collaboration aimed to reinforce the technical capacities of those working in reef monitoring and conservation in the Mesoamerican and Southwestern Caribbean region.
MERMAID is a tool developed by WCS and partners, designed to facilitate the collection of marine ecosystem data. It allows for the recording of detailed information on reef fish, coral cover, macroalgae, sponges, and other key indicators. Its online and offline capabilities make it particularly useful for fieldwork in remote areas, improving both monitoring efficiency and data quality.
This platform, increasingly used by scientific teams and marine managers, also supports evidence-based decision-making and strengthens technical exchange across regions facing similar challenges.
Workshop participants in Guanaja, Honduras. Photo by WCS Honduras.
The health of the Region’s Reefs
Coral reefs along the coasts of Guatemala, Belize, Honduras (including Guanaja Island), and Colombia display varied conditions but face common threats. While some areas still preserve coral cover and structural integrity, others show signs of degradation due to climate change, coastal pollution, coral diseases, and unregulated human activity.
In some zones, live coral cover has declined over the past decades. However, certain sites still host resilient reefs, which become key areas for restoration and ongoing monitoring.
Monitoring practice. Photo by WCS Honduras.
Reef-Building corals and their ecological role
During the sessions, participants focused on identifying coral species essential to reef structure and function. Among them are Agaricia species, leafy or plate-like corals that contribute to reef diversity. Orbicella was also highlighted, a foundational reef-building coral known for its massive size and shape, providing habitat for numerous species.
Acropora species were another focus, recognized for their rapid growth and importance as habitat for juvenile fish, though now critically endangered. Iconic brain corals of the genus Diploria, with their maze-like patterns, were also discussed. Given their ecological importance, participants received training in identifying crustose coralline algae, which play a crucial role in coral larval settlement and reef formation.
Left: Pseudodiploria strigosa. Right: Montastraea cavernosa. Photo by WCS Honduras.
Colors that reflect reef health
Coral color was discussed as an indicator of reef health. Coral bleaching—the loss of color—occurs when corals expel their symbiotic zooxanthellae, making them more susceptible to disease. This increasingly frequent phenomenon is a growing threat. It’s estimated that 84% of corals experienced some degree of bleaching in 2024. Additional stressors like overfishing, agricultural runoff, wastewater pollution, and unregulated tourism further impact the ecosystem’s resilience.
Strengthening reef fish identification
As part of the workshop, participants received specialized training in reef fish identification led by Henry Brown Jr. of WCS Belize. This training sharpened the team's ability to recognize key species during monitoring dives.
Henry Brown Jr., WCS Belize. Photo by WCS Honduras.
Among the fish studied were the Schoolmaster Snapper (Lutjanus apodus), a coastal species easily recognized by its yellow body and bright fins; the Tiger Grouper (Mycteroperca tigris), known for its striking tiger-like pattern and role as a top reef predator; and several species of groupers and sea basses (family Serranidae), which hold both ecological and fishery importance.
Joint action for reef protection
Workshops like this reinforce the collaborative conservation work already underway in the region. Thanks to platforms like MERMAID, conservation teams can harmonize methodologies, share critical data, and make coordinated decisions to protect these ecosystems. Ongoing efforts include cross-border coral and fisheries monitoring, active restoration of vulnerable species like Acropora cervicornis, environmental education programs for coastal communities, and strengthened management of marine protected areas.
The regional MERMAID workshop not only enhanced technical capacity but also reaffirmed a collective commitment to protecting coral reefs—one of the planet’s most diverse and threatened ecosystems. In the face of climate change and growing human pressures, scientific knowledge, regional collaboration, and coordinated action remain our best tools to ensure healthy oceans for future generations.