Haiti’s Canal De La Gonave is a unique marine ecosystem, with two underwater canyons that drop to over 10,000 feet. This marine ecosystem is threatened by several factors: pollution (e.g. marine debris), non-native species invasions (e.g. lionfish), disease, and habitat degradation. These waters are home to a variety of top level species which are critical to the health of this marine ecosystem, including SPAW-listed species such as the critically endangered Hawksbill sea turtle, endangered green sea turtle, endangered sperm whale, and vulnerable shark and ray species such as the blue shark, tiger shark, oceanic white tip shark, giant manta ray, spotted eagle ray and whale shark.
Since 2007, Haiti Ocean Project has been empowering and educating youth, fishermen and the communities that reside along the Canal De La Gonave, to gain a deeper understanding and dedication to protection of their marine environment. With a marine conservation center located in Petite Riviere de Nippes, a fishing village along the southern inner coastline, Haiti Ocean Project conducts marine education workshops, is facilitating a developing sea turtle hospital, shark ecotourism through research and conservation platforms and whale/dolphin watching tours. In addition, Haiti Ocean Project also engages youth, fishermen, and mayors on marine debris, while mobilizing the resources (e.g., vessels, volunteers, and local knowledge) to implement this initiative. While based in Petite Riviere de Nippes, Haiti Ocean Project works in other fishing villages in the Nippes and Grand’Anse regions.
Jamie Aquino, Director of Haiti Ocean Project stated -"Having identified key nesting beaches in the regions we work in, our focus this sea turtle season will be in the conservation and success rate of sea turtle nests and hatchlings. In addition, we will be continuing to develop Haiti’s first sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation facility, utilizing donated sea turtle pools and an x-ray unit. Dr. Michael T. Walsh, a noted aquatic vet from University of Florida, will be conducting our first sea turtle workshop at our marine conservation center towards the end of March.
We are also focusing on our shark research initiative, facilitated by Dr. Mark Bond, a marine scientist from Florida International University. Having confirmed that our waters in the Nippes region are a breeding ground for the oceanic white tip shark, Dr. Bond will soon be traveling to Haiti to implant at least 10 pop up satellite tags on juvenile oceanic white tip sharks, as well as assess their habitat and conduct shark education workshops for the local populations. We will also be conducting genetic testing on samples of a dozen juvenile oceanic white tip sharks which were killed by local fishermen in the past few years to learn more about the migration patterns and habitats of these shark species. Sharks and sea turtles, among other species are a food source in Haiti for fishermen and their families."
