Identifying and Protecting Critical Nursery Habitats for Hammerhead Sharks in Honduras

Although Honduras was declared a Shark Sanctuary in 2011, juvenile sharks continue to be caught in gillnet fisheries, particularly in the remote Indigenous region of La Moskitia, where demand for dried shark meat known as “Cecina” persists. Working collaboratively with Miskito fishers, ilili has identified a potential nursery site for critically endangered scalloped and great hammerhead sharks. This project will combine participatory mapping, fisheries monitoring, and ecological surveys to identify important shark and ray areas in the Moskitia. Ilili will also work with territorial councils and government institutions to develop a formal proposal for a community led no-take zone to protect hammerheads. The project will aim to reduce juvenile shark mortality, strengthen local stewardship, and advance a more functional and inclusive approach to shark conservation in Honduras.