RIMS Joins National Effort to Protect the Caribbean Manatee in Honduras
For more than 30 years, Anthony’s Key Resort, through the Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences (RIMS), has developed extensive experience in marine mammal care, scientific research, and veterinary support. RIMS is particularly recognised for its specialised work with bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), contributing knowledge that extends beyond Roatan and connects the institute with the wider marine science and conservation community.
That experience has opened a new opportunity to contribute to the protection of another important marine mammal. In 2024, RIMS was officially invited to join Honduras’s National Committee for the Conservation of the Caribbean Manatee, bringing its technical knowledge, research background, and institutional resources to a coordinated national effort.
Supporting a National Conservation Plan
The National Committee brings together organizations and specialists working to protect the Caribbean manatee and the marine and coastal habitats on which the species depends. Its work is part of the National Plan for the Conservation of the Caribbean Manatee, which creates a framework for institutions to coordinate their expertise, resources, and future conservation actions.
Since joining the committee, RIMS has assumed the role of Secretariat, facilitating communication and coordination among participating institutions. This role supports a more unified approach to planning, decision-making, and collaboration across the organizations involved.
Contributing Scientific and Technical Expertise
RIMS specialists were also invited to review and contribute technical guidance to the official national conservation plan. Drawing on decades of marine mammal research and care, the team has helped strengthen the document’s scientific and practical foundation.
This technical participation reflects an important part of conservation work that often happens behind the scenes. Effective protection depends not only on field activities but also on careful planning, reliable scientific information, clearly defined responsibilities, and cooperation among institutions.
Preparing to Support Future Manatee Care
As partnerships and formal agreements continue to develop, RIMS has been identified as an important potential resource for future manatee response and care. Its veterinarians and marine mammal specialists may be called upon to assist with rehabilitation, safe transport, clinical assessments, and professional training.
These capabilities could help strengthen national preparedness when an injured, stranded, or otherwise vulnerable manatee requires specialized attention. By sharing facilities, veterinary knowledge, and technical experience when needed, RIMS can help expand the country’s capacity to respond responsibly and effectively.
Conservation Through Collaboration
Protecting the Caribbean manatee requires the combined efforts of government agencies, conservation organizations, researchers, veterinarians, coastal communities, and educational institutions. No single organization can address every challenge alone.
RIMS’ participation in the National Committee builds on Anthony’s Key Resort’s broader commitment to marine conservation, education, and scientific collaboration. It also demonstrates how knowledge developed through long-term marine research can support conservation priorities throughout Honduras.
Through this national partnership, Anthony’s Key Resort and RIMS reaffirm their commitment to protecting biodiversity and supporting the recovery and long-term health of Honduras’s marine and coastal ecosystems.
