Making A Difference
The Problem
The Solution
PARTNER HISTORY
Local stakeholders
What help is required?
Where?

Making A Difference
Quest Underseas provides locally relevant marine education and conservation projects, which involve and support local communities. Cooperating with local community members is frequently not part of management plans, tourism initiatives or government development strategies: something we aim to change.

Supporting local institutions and resource users is also a key component of our work, in this manner we can accomplish more and generate relationships to build capacity, share knowledge and expertise and provide educational and financial resources for the future.

We believe that we have the responsibility to contribute to finding solutions to environmental and social problems, without adding to them. For this reason we contribute financially and through voluntary work, towards what we see as the most pressing regional and local issues.

Why are we different?
· We are insistent that any marine conservation projects include the local community and local businesses.
· We provide time and funds for other conservation and research initiatives to be carried out when not undertaking marine research.

Quest Underseas conservation projects are based around the local needs of the community and region we are working in. Working on and funding short, medium and long term goals for our projects, guarantees that every team makes a lasting difference. Our Trust Fund, supported by £300 from each team members’ contribution will support our partners and their marine research, ecology and conservation projects, long after our team arrives home.

By taking part on this trip you will be supporting conservation and research efforts, helping to provide a platform for the dissemination of information, building capacity through donations to our partners and gaining experience in marine survey techniques and approaches to conservation. These skills and contacts will prove to be very valuable for any volunteers hoping to pursue careers in marine science, conservation, marine ecology or diving.

The Problem
Around Utila, as throughout the Caribbean, marine resources are under threat through over-fishing, algal overgrowth and eutrophication, badly managed marine tourism, coastal run-off and pollution. The needs of Utila are characteristic of the region and the chance to find out about research, to increase our knowledge and find solutions to these problems, is vitally important.

The Solution
The Quest Underseas project in Utila aims to put research into practical conservation and educational initiatives. In this manner Underseas can provide the relevant data and manage individual projects to completion. By working with local institutions, local government and community members / fishing cooperatives, much more can be achieved and learned. Such cooperation provides a benefit to all resource users.
This is an ideal place to dive, learn to dive, to gather experience in marine conservation and research, to conduct research for undergraduate or postgraduate marine science and to be involved in contributing towards the knowledge and conservation of marine resources.

PARTNER HISTORY
Quest Underseas were invited to work on Utila in December 2006. The summer expedition 2007 presents our first chance to be involved with research and conservation in the Caribbean.

Utila Dive Centre (UDC) - Andy Philipps

The Utila Dive Centre is a PADI Career Development Centre, the highest rating awarded for professional level training and quality. It was awarded ‘Best dive centre in the world’ by PADI in 2004 and 2005.

UCME - Steve Box

ECOCEAN – Jason Holmberg
Also partners in our Mozambique whale shark and manta ray research project in Tofo, Mozambique.
Whale shark research has been pioneered on Utila by Deep Blue Dive Centre, UDC and Cross Creek, who have worked side by side with Ecocean to collect information on whale sharks. Jason Holmberg and Zaven Anzumanian, the chief designers of the computer programme that generates the spot pattern algorithms that identify the sharks, were guests at Deep Blue this spring.

Local stakeholders
By operating on Utila, Quest Underseas can maintain its position providing locally relevant and flexible research as needs change. Monitoring methods and research teams can be recruited / adapted according to the specific QUEST project. For example, our role in providing mark and recapture data on whale sharks frequenting Utilan waters, to compliment the ECOCEAN database, is of great value to furthering our understanding of these elusive creatures. Alternative livelihoods and income schemes are needed in the already heavily over-fished and overexploited Bay Islands. Marine science data collection can contribute to our understanding of the most financially valuable species, which can contribute to generating sustainable livelihoods in the region.

What help is required?
Our project in Utila offers a fantastic opportunity to be involved in research, conservation and learn about the marine environment.

Our key partners, UCME (the Utila Centre for Marine Ecology) are conducting dive surveys to assess reef health, learning about the threats to Caribbean marine life.

You can learn how research into these threats is crucial for Utila and the greater Mesoamerican barrier reef region, will prepare you for converted these findings into educational resources that are urgently needed on the Island.

You will come away from this project with relevant experience in diving, survey techniques, marine ecology and specific knowledge of preparing eductaional resources and outreach work in an island community - while making a difference through your own personal contribution.

Where?
The Honduran Bay Islands are one of the most spectacular sites of the Caribbean and Central America. Utila is situated just 29km from the Honduran mainland, forming part of the Mesoamerican barrier reef system- the second largest in the world!

Utila, although tiny (4x11km) has a very rich history: from Payan Indians, British colonial rule, pirates and subsequent status as a Spanish protectorate, all the way to independence as part of Honduras, Utila has seen it all.

With over 70 dive sites, beaches, mangrove ecosystems, and laid back way of life, Utila has become a mecca for marine enthusiasts throughout the world. From Utila town to the incredible deserted Cayes you will be amazed by the diversity, pace and possibilities of this tropical island paradise.