Honduras and Belize

NEED help w/ honduran employment

Crystal — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 01:19:09 GMT

Hello, I am looking for enployment in Honduras. My husband is a native and we will be going there to live in May from USA. I have a bachelor's degree in psychology. I was wondering if anyone had any direction on where to go to find employment in that field or a related field or really any job really :) I have spent hours on the net and am having no luck. We are planning on living on Utila island but I would be willing to go anywhere in Honduras if I can find a job that is rewarding. Please if you have ANY suggestions please let me know.

Forum: Employment Opportunities

Copan Honduras in the News

Debbie — Thur, 17 Jan 2008 14:15:34 GMT

San Francisco Chronicle article on Copan Honduras
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/01/06/CMO3TJDH9.DTL

Forum: In the News

Rare whales discoved beached on Utila

WSORC — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 16:14:43 GMT

For immediate publication

Additional information

Rob Davis, rob@wsorc.com

TWO BEAKED WHALES FOUND WASHED UP

ON THE BEACHES OF UTILA, HONDURAS

DR. LORETTA POTTS

BRYAN BECKER

DR. ROB DAVIS

DIRECTORS OF WSORC (WHALE SHARK AND

OCEANIC RESEARCH CENTER)

January 3, 2008 at 7AM, a whale was found still alive washed up near Chepes beach in Utila, Honduras. The locals that found her, pulled her up on to the beach where she expired. WSORC (Whale Shark and Oceanic Research Center) was called to determine the cause of death and determine what type of whale. Loretta Potts D.V.M., Dr. Rob Davis, Bryan Becker, Rodger Mehrer, all of WSORC, arrived on the scene that morning. Rose and George Gaboural along with Redondo, a local fisherman, aided us in this large task.

The whale was 17 ft./6 m long, weighing approximately 3000 lbs./ 140 kg. We determined the whale to be female due to milk coming from the mammary gland. Her coloring was grey on the dorsum lightening towards the ventral area. White spots were visible on her head and several parts of her body. She had a small head with a short beak with small pointed teeth. V-shaped grooves were noticed at the throat. A small dorsal fin was situated 2/3 back on the body. The fluke was large and rounded at the tips. Small pectoral fins were present in a small depression on the lateral sides of the body. The animal did not show any obvious outside lesions to indicate a cause of death.

Necropsy results gave us more questions than answers but further research using specimens obtained during the necropsy will, hopefully, help us to determine the cause of death and help us prevent further tragedies. The skin was 3 inches thick and normal color and consistency and the muscle also appeared normal. The lungs were pink and healthy. They were approximately 4 ft./ 1.2 m long and 3 ft./ 1 m wide. A large heart the size of a basketball appeared normal also. The trachea contained white froth which may have been due to stress before death. The esophagus was pink and healthy. The diaphragm was large and thick with normal coloring. The stomach had normal coloring except for the third of 3 compartments. This last compartment was distended with air and had areas of hemorrhage throughout. Contents of the stomach were removed and included many plastic pieces of varying sizes from dime size to 6 inch bags and many pieces of squid beaks, this animals main food source. It is important to note that no food was found in the stomach, only the beaks of the squid, telling us that digestion had occurred. The small intestine had consistent hemorrhage along the ventral area of the small intestine into the omentum. These areas were 3-5 inches all along the tract and were very suspicious. The large intestine appeared normal.

The liver had normal color and consistency. Spleen also had normal color and consistency. The kidneys were 3 ft./ 1 m long and 1 ft./0.3 m wide. There was no edema or hemmorage but they were consistently lobulated throughout with large areas of calcification. These calcifications were as hard as rock and were in both kidneys. Samples were taken of all these areas. The bladder was normal on color. Uterus, ovaries and mammary gland, which was filled with milk, all had normal color and consistency.

On January 5, 2008 at 7AM, a second beaked whale washed up on a beach mile from the first whale and 2 days later. This whale was 11 ft./ 3.7 m long and approximately 1000 lbs./ 46 kg. We determined him to be the calf of the first whale. A penis protruding told us this was a male. His coloring was very light grey on the ventral area with a darker grey on the dorsum. Many large lacerations covered the whale which we determined to be post mortem. The calf had the same small head with a small beak but no teeth present. A small blowhole was present with a depression behind it. This whale had small pectoral fins, small dorsal fin 2/3 back on the body and a large fluke with rounded tips, similar to the first whale found.

We performed the necropsy and found many post mortem changes. The whale had been dead for at least a day or 2 and may have died the same time as the first whale but did not wash up until 2 days later. The skin was 2 inches thick and off white. The muscle was deep red and appeared normal. The lungs were hemorrhagic and had a cottage cheese consistency. The heart appeared normal. The trachea also had hemorrhagic froth throughout. The stomach and intestinal tract were severely hemorrhagic also determined to be post mortem. Stomach contents consisted of squid parts in small amounts also squid beaks with no food similar to the female. Liver, spleen, bladder also was red and irritated due to post mortem changes. The kidneys had the same lobulated appearance, very red and the consistency of cottage cheese. A small penis was present.

Our research here at WSORC has determined that both whales belong to the Genus Ziphius, Species cavirostris, common name Cuviers Beaked Whale or Goosebeaked Whale. These whales have a large rounded body with a small head. The forehead slopes to a small beak and the mouth slopes upward giving it a goose-like appearance. The lower jaw extends beyond the upper jaw. This species has small pectoral fins and a small dorsal fin which is located well beyond its mid section. A distinct neck is caused by a depression behind the blowhole. The fluke is large with rounded tips. All these characteristics are consistent with the whales we found.

The calves are born from 6 ft./ 2 m to 10 ft./ 3.2 m in length and 600 lbs./ 28 kg. This is consistent with the second whale found which was 11 ft/ 3.6 m and approximately 1000 lbs./ 46 kg. This calf was old enough to eat food but was still nursing since milk was found in the mammary gland. Sexual maturity is reached when the animal is 17-19 ft. in length for females. Since this female was 17 ft./ 6 m, we estimate the female was young and the calf was still a juvenile.

These whales are distributed in all oceans except the polar regions. They are usually in deep water and avoid shallow coastal areas. They are also known to stay with the sick animals in a pod theoretically, to care for them. Local fisherman reported seeing a pod of these whales, 3-8 of them, close to the harbor of Utila Town. They have not been spotted since the 2 whales were found. Theses whales are very rare and most information has come from the stranded or dead whales found on beaches.

Many samples were taken from these animals so that we may gain more information on these elusive creatures and determine the cause of death. No obvious lesions or gross characteristics have aided in this determination. We are suspicious of the large amount of plastic that was found in the females stomach. Research done by Dr. Colin Mcleod revealed that 50% of beaked whale strandings contained plastics. Also, any type of acoustic or sonar changes can strand and kill these animals. So far, we have not come up with any type of acoustic problem near Utila that would have such devastating consequences. We are hopeful that our specimens will give us more incite so we can help preserve this species.

References

Balcomb, Kenneth; Minasian, Stanley, The Worlds Whales, Smithsonian Books, New York; W.W. Norton 1984

Culik, Boris, Review of Small Cetaceans, Convention of Migratory Species Commission (CMS), December, 2002

Langstaff, Lee, Beaked Whale Workshop Summary, U.S. Marine Mammal Commission, 2004

Leatherwood,S; Reeves,R., Whales and Dolphins, San Francisco: Sierra Club Books, 1983

Mead, James, American Cetacean Society Fact Sheet,American Cetacean Society, 2004

Forum: In the News

CCV trip report

Dion SkiScuba — Thur, 13 Dec 2007 23:30:49 GMT

Hi Debbie,

I wanted to let you know that our trip was soooo smooth. All my group were happy with the diving, rooms, meals, and all the staff. It was very easy for me. The weather cleared the day that we arrived and was sunny and in the low 80's for the entire week.

The dive staff was very accommodating and Mel (DM) and Captain David were super.

Thanks for doing such a good job of putting everything together for me.

Merry Christmas and the best for the New Year,

Dion

Forum: CoCo View Resort

teaching positions in Belize

Sharon — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 23:14:52 GMT

What do you need to do to find teaching positions in Belize?

Forum: Employment Opportunities

"Enabling the Disabled : Above and Below the Caribbean"

Diveheart — Thur, 22 Nov 2007 12:38:28 GMT

"Enabling the Disabled : Above and Below the Caribbean"

http://www.caribpro.com/Caribbean_Property_Magazine/index.php?pageid=217

Forum: In the News

New Roatan-Guanaja ferry service to start

Bay Island Voice — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 12:32:26 GMT

New Ferry to Guanaja
Guanajans look forward to easier access to the island and tapping into Roatans Tourist Market
Guanaja has had a sea link to Trujillo since spring 2006, but attempts to link Roatan and Guanaja proved so far unsuccessful. "It wasn't a great financial success, but it was a great experience for our staff," said Thompson.
The key element in making the transport service financially sustainable was the cargo transport. While until now the Guanaja boat served almost exclusively locals, Thompson wants Bimini Breeze to tap into the growing Roatan tourist market. "We received no financial help from central or local government," said Thompson, who hopes that the potential of a daily, convenient round-trip to Guanaja will encourage tourists to visit.

Forum: In the News

11 year old Belizean wins Conde Nast "My Caribbean" essay contest

Conde Nast — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 14:11:58 GMT

Grand prize winner Alexander Fonseca received a $2,000 scholarship and the two runners-up each received a $500 scholarship. Alexanders winning essay will also be featured in the January Gold List issue of Conde Nast Traveler. Given the topic: Imagine you are the Minister of Tourism for your island. What would you do, and what projects could you create, to help bring locals and tourists closer together? Alexander wrote:

Belize has a beautiful, unspoiled environment, magnificent Mayan ruins, world-class diving and beaches, and the friendliest people in the world. I want to share this with the world. As Minister of Tourism it is my job to make Belize attractive for tourists but at the same time make it worthwhile for our local citizens who call Belize home. The best way to do this is to create projects and opportunities that bring tourists and locals closer together. This would be a positive thing for everyone involved and tourists would be able to enjoy a richer Belizean experience.

Belize has a lot to offer tourists but it has to include the local citizens since they are the ones who have stories to tell and skills to show off. Tourism works best when both tourists and Belizeans participate and benefit.

For the complete story:
http://www.traveldailynews.com/pages/show_page/20088

Forum: In the News

"One Visa" for Central America begins Oct 25

El Nuevo Diario — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 17:15:35 GMT

Central America
One Visa to Central America begins on October 25th

The Central American vista that will integrate immigration procedures and permit free tourist transit between Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua; will come into effect on October 25th.
This initiative adds to the Mundo Maya airline agreement through which the Presidents of these countries declared as 'local flights', all flights in the area between southern Mexico and Honduras.
Foreign travelers who require a visa to visit the region can apply for the Central American Visa at any of the consulates of the member nations of the agreement.

El Nuevo Diario
October 18th
www.elnuevodiario.com.ni

Forum: General announcements

CoCo View, Roatan : Best Diving

Hatt;s Diving — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 12:55:02 GMT

Jim and Mark

       The following is what Terry and myself are telling people about our trip to CoCo View. We must say that this was the best diving, the best resort for the money and the best time we have had together.

       This was the most comfortable diving I have ever done - - even beyond my three years off of my own boat in Key West. Dives were at our leasure - - our depth - - our time (nights included) and at our pleasure.

       We did 19 dives (4 below 100 feet) in 6 days (we could have done more). The finality was 7 dives in 36 hours, one of which was a night dive and one below 100 feet. Fantastic resort and fantastic diving - - 100 foot coral walls 150 yards off the beach. We could go on our own, off the beach anytime from sun up to 11:00 PM. The resort offered 4 dives a day - - most boat rides (2 a day) were no more than 10 to 15 minutes to dive sites but the reefs and walls go for miles and miles. The boats are 50 footers and are set up for 35 to 40 people but there were only 12 of us on our boat and that's with our own boat captain and dive master. Both were top professionals and very knowledgeable about the dive sites. Gear storage and the dock was a 2 minute walk from the cabana. Gear and 2 tanks were set up on the boat when we showed at the dock. After the first dive the captain and dive master changed out the tanks and set us up for the second dive. The boat took the group where ever we want to go. Seas were calm, visibility was good to great, water temperature was 84 F - - some people were in tee shirts but we wore light skins for protection only. Air is supplied - - nitrox is extra ($6 a tank or $100 for the week). Gloves are NOT allowed as the reefs are pristine and they have a no touch rule.

       Terry took an underwater photograph class and I knocked of my nitrox cert. Terry was the only one who signed up so her class consisted of a one-on-one with her instructor. She shot photos on the morning run, gave the instructor the camera at the dock, he download the camera and had it ready for the afternoon run. After the afternoon run, he downloaded the pics and critiqued the days work. This went on for 6 days. Cost was $125 for the class and $125 for my nitrox cert. My nitrox cert is from PADI - - I received my card this week. My instructor is from Australia. He did not cut me any slack - - I had to know the dive tables and how to work the the solutions which I can now do. Kodos to Mark - - I feel comfortable and safe after his superb instruction. .

       Food (three meals a day) and accommodations (with AC) were excellent throughout the week - - lobster tails and tenderloin the last night. Our cabana was on stilts over water - - rustic but comfortable. No phone or TV in the rooms but the Club House had both and an Internet cafe. Management and staff were most courteous and helpful.

       This well kept secret was only 2 1/2 hours from Atlanta. Cost was $1,700 per person to include airfare (plus tips and add ons). Routing was Orlando/Atlanta/Rotan) on Delta on a new route direct from Atlanta to Rotan. The 737 aircraft was only about 1/5 full. Travel to/from the Rotan airport/resort was about 30 minutes. There are no roads into the resort so it takes a 5 minute boat ride to arrive at the CoCo View dock. Bags were checked in Orlando and not seen again until they arrived at Rotan and then at the front door of our cabana.

       There is a web cam focused on the dock so you can see the boats and people on the CoCo View web site.

       We fully intend to make many more trips to CoCo View. A few in our party were there for the 10th + time. I fully understand why.

       We have land pictures on my laptop, underwater pictures on Terry's laptop and are willing to share.

       Please pass this on to the folks at Hats. Mark - - please post this as you wish.

             Warm Regards
             George and Terry Wolfe

Forum: CoCo View Resort

New Roatan - Utila flights

SOSA Airlines — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 18:12:42 GMT

AEROLINEAS SOSA

P4NR RTB-UTI 4:00PM 4:15PM

P4NR UTI-RTB 9:45AM 10:00AM

For reservations and ticketing contact Roatan Charter 1-800-282-8932 or airdesk@roatan.com

Forum: General announcements

Utila's Whale Shark & Oceanograpnic Research Center

WSORC — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 12:26:44 GMT

Changing of the guard at the WSORC
By Rodger Mehrer and Loretta Potts; photos by Sue Beerman
To all our WSORC supporters, we are excited to announce that there are some significant changes going on at WSORC.

Regrettably, our fearless leader, Kelly Schratwieser, has resigned in order to pursue advanced dive training. During Kellys tenure she instituted the school program allowing WSORC interns to create and provide weekly presentations at the local schools to increase awareness of Marine Ecology for the local school children along with a number of other projects.

All of us at WSORC wish Kelly the best and we will miss her terribly. The new WSORC team is committed to continuing her programs and build on her past efforts.

Taking over the helm in this interim period are Dr. Loretta Potts, her husband, Rodger Mehrer and Dr. Robert Davis (who has joined the staff as our International Director).

Dr. Potts is a Veterinarian with a Masters degree in Biology. Her interest in Whale Sharks began six years ago while assisting Dr. Alex Antoniou of the Shark Research Institute (SRI). She was so charmed by the gentle giant and the island of Utila, that she and her husband have been returning to the island ever since. "Dr. Loretta" and "Mr. Rodger" have built a home on the island and are now permanent residents here.

When not working in their "donation only" veterinary clinic, both Loretta and Rodger have been volunteered in the WSORC office.

Dr. Loretta completed her Dive Master program and Whale Shark Specialty Course, giving her the knowledge and experience to lead locals and tourists on the boats for Eco Tours so they can experience once in a lifetime encounters with whale sharks, dolphin, Manta Rays and Sperm whales. This experience for tourists adds to the awareness of preserving the species and teaches them the correct manner in which to encounter the "gentle giants" without harming or harassing them. Under her direction Loretta will continue the work already in place and add a new dimension to the already exciting work being done at WSORC.

Rodger Mehrer retired after a 30 year career in Business development and management, and has also become enchanted by the whale sharks of Utila. Since moving to Utila he has completed his Dive Master, Whale Shark Specialty Course, and Assistant Instructor Courses and is currently in the Instructor program at Bay Islands College of Diving.

His vision for WSORC is also to continue awareness and preservation of Whale Sharks, our reefs and all species that call Utila home. He has been leading the Eco Tours for some time now and is excited about continuing the Whale Shark tissue sampling and especially, the photo ID that is done through Eco Ocean. This "finger printing" will allow us even more information on the migratory patterns of this illusive creature.

Dr. Robert Davis joins WSORC as its Director of International Development. He has been diving for 40 years with 4500 logged dives, 600 in the Bay Islands. He spent time in the Navy after graduation from college as a UDT(S) officer. He has been a college professor and administrator for 20 years and brings that wealth of knowledge to WSORC.

Dr. Robert Davis and many other volunteers that live here on Utila, along with Loretta and Rodger, will be working diligently to continue the dream that WSORCs founder, Jim Engel, had envisioned. All of us at WSORC are very excited and driven to see Jims dream stay alive. Please help support our efforts. We can assure everyone involved with WSORC, that it is very much alive and we are very excited about the future.

In conjunction with the already existing programs offered through WSORC we will be working to expand the operation through a variety of new programs and offerings.

Kisty, through her never-ending generosity has committed to providing the equipment to permit local school children to become actively involved with the sea life and reefs that surround their island home. The vast majority of these children have never been on a boat, snorkeled on the reefs or seen a whale shark! Our goal is to advance their knowledge and instill conservation into their way of life.

It is in these children that we need to increase awareness and through them, reach the adult population of Utila.

Second, we are enlisting help from part-time and full-time Ex-Patriots who now call Utila Home to expand the ranks of volunteers available to WSORC.

Third, PADIs "Project AWARE" program will become a significant part of our efforts to educate Utilas local children.

Fourth, "Dr. Rob" will be working from his home base in San Diego, California to encourage universities and colleges to sponsor rotational internships at WSORC.

Fifth, we will increase our emphasis of photo ID and tissue sampling as a means to track these elusive creatures. Although physical tagging is still an option, we believe less invasive options are where our efforts should primarily be focused.

These are just a few examples of what we are striving for in WSORCs near future. As always, we invite anyone with suggestions or comments to email us or come on down and lend a hand. We are open to any and all ideas to make WSORC better than ever.

In closing we are excited to announce that the "Gentle Giant" is back for the season! We had our first encounter on September 8th and got this great picture taken by Sue Beerman, our volunteer photographer. The Whale Shark was 5 to 6 meters. It appeared to be a female but may have been an immature male.

COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS? Please send to: Loretta@wsorc.com or Rodger@wsorc.com

Forum: In the News

New air servcie between Honduras and Belize

Honduras This Week — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 18:28:18 GMT

Maya Island Airlines, the premier commuter airline in Belize, has just established a brand new route from San Pedro Sula to anywhere in Belize. It comes and goes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. This airline provides dependable equipment, excellent pilots and prices comparable to Atlantic Airlines, the other carrier flying into Belize.

Forum: General announcements

New non-stop route: Oakland to El Salvador

Terry — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 13:02:34 GMT

New non-stop route: Oakland to El Salvador

By Michael Martinez
Mercury News

Article Launched: 10/07/2007 02:01:05 AM PDT

TACA Airlines, which serves more than 35 cities in North, Central and South America, will begin service between Oakland International Airport and El Salvador starting Nov. 17.

Non-stop flights will leave Oakland at 12:20 a.m. every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday, arriving in the capital city of San Salvador at 7:50 a.m. Return flights will depart on Monday, Thursday and Saturday at 7:10 p.m. and arrive at 10:33 p.m.

Fliers will be able to connect to a number of cities through San Salvador, including Managua, Nicaragua; Lima, Peru; and Belize City, Belize. TACA also flies to a number of destinations from San Francisco.

Currently, Mexicana is the only carrier with year-round international service from Oakland, with flights to Guadalajara, Leon-Guanajuato and Zacatecas. US Airways has seasonal service to Los Cabos, and Azores Express has seasonal flights to the Azores.

Forum: In the News

New entrance fees at Tikal

Prensa Libre — Thur, 04 Oct 2007 19:30:38 GMT

Guatemala
New entrance fees at Tikal

As of October 1st, entrance fees to Tikal National Park have increased to Q25.00 for national visitors and to Q150.00f or foreign visitors.
Sergio Lpez, Director for the National Cultural Heritage institute, considers that the previous fees of Q15.00 and Q50.00 were not in accordance with the historic and cultural importance of Tikal. Those fees were established by Governmental Decree No. 925-95 in1995.
Lpez said that "The overall income was too low and internationally, we were almost giving our heritage away to international visitation"; he also compared the existing entrance fee with that of the archeological site of Copn in Honduras (US$30) and the Cathedral of Sevilla in Spain (US$35) among others.

Prensa Libre
September 25th
www.prensalibre.com

Forum: General announcements