RESEARCH
Collecting data on whale shark individuals, oceanic conditions and the surrounding coral reefs to better understand their dynamics
MEET THE TEAM
THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE IT POSSIBLE
ABI SMITH
PROGRAM MANAGER
Abi first came to Utila in June 2016 for the 1 month Marine Conservation Internship at WSORC after graduating with a degree in English Literature & Film Studies. She quickly fell in love with conservation, diving and the island itself. After her internship ended she delayed her flight home, turned down a job offer in the film industry and stayed to complete her Divemaster course at Bay Islands College of Diving, where she soon became a staff member and has since moved up to PADI Staff Intructor rating. After 2 and a half years instructing at The College, Abi is enjoying a rewarding role managing the centre, controlling the social media accounts and working closely with staff, interns and surrounding businesses to ensure the best possible future for WSORC.
ELI MYRON
SOCIAL MEDIA CO-ORDINATOR & MARINE BIOLOGIST
Eli is a recent graduate of Florida State University, Fulbright Scholar, and part-time digital creator on YouTube. During his undergraduate career, he contributed to several long-term deep-sea and coastal shark research projects, and independently conducted a thesis focusing on the relationship between artificial reef arrangement and benthic biodiversity. Upon graduating, Eli received the Fulbright Scholarship to spend 9 months conducting an independent research project in the Philippines focused on coral restoration and giant clam restocking programs. Eli was an intern for WSORC in 2017, and after his Fulbright project was delayed a full year and a half, he returned to WSORC as a repeat intern to reignite his passion for marine conservation and pursue his dream of becoming a SCUBA instructor. After receiving the offer to join WSORC as staff he couldn’t turn down the opportunity to take on what he says is his “dream job.” Aside from research and conservation, Eli enjoys creating content for his YouTube channel, creating videos about ocean-related careers and SCUBA diving.
MARY FERNANDA PAVÓN
RESEARCH OVERSEER & MARINE BIOLOGIST
Maria studied Biology at the National Autonomous University of Honduras, where she specialized in Aquatic Sciences. Since then, she has spent some time directing investigations on fisheries in coastal environments of Honduras. Maria aspires throughout her career to meaningfully lend her skills to the sustainable management of the region’s natural resources.
OUR PROGRAMS
OUTREACH
Promoting responsible whale shark tourism, raising of awareness of conservation issues, and educating local school children about the sea
INTERNSHIPS
Training volunteers with the skills necessary to pursue marine conservation careers in the Caribbean
ECOTOURISM
Expeditions that educate participants about the marine environment while actively contributing to conservation efforts on Utila.
HOW TO HELP
BE PART OF THE GLOBAL SOLUTION
WSORC is an NGO – registered Honduran Non Profit Organization.
We have the knowledge, the location and the desire to make a real difference for the oceans, the people of Utila, and the world… Please help us achieve our and your goals. Would you like to help sponsor whale shark research and/or education on Utila? WSORC welcomes all contributions/donations towards our programs. Sponsors will be included in the next WSORC newsletter and their names/photos will be placed on our website.
It is simple and easy to make a contribution through PayPal. The contribution will be processed through the Bay Islands Dive Centre paypal account, our sister organisation, which will then be transferred to WSORC.
DONATE
Make a donation to the Whale Shark & Oceanic Research Centre using the box below. Donations are processed through the Pay Pal account of our sister organisation, the Bay Islands College of Diving. Proceeds of all donations are directed towards our research and community outreach efforts on Utila.