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 & Intern Councelor
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.
Andrea Godoy
Marine Biologist and Community Outreach Co-ordinator
Andrea has always been fascinated by the natural world since she was a child and was particularly attracted to ocean wildlife. Her curiosity about the natural world eventually inspired her to enroll in a Biology major at the National Autonomous University of Honduras, where she directed her inquisitiveness towards marine environments, spending the last two years of her career specializing in Zoology and Aquatic Sciences.
After becoming Open Water certified in Utila, Andrea applied and was chosen as the recipient of the Jim Engel Ocean Steward scholarship, which allowed her to intern for WSORC for 6 months and get certified up to Divemaster level. After a highly successful experience as an intern/research assistant, Andrea was asked to join the WSORC team earlier this year and has since been getting involved in community outreach activities, conservation efforts and fully engaged with the internship program.
One of Andrea’s goals as a conservationist is to educate the community on the importance of protecting our marine environments and other natural resources through their engagement with ongoing conservation efforts and projects and environmental education.
Joe Romain
Marine Biologist & Research Co-ordinator
Joe has a Masters degree in Tropical Marine Biology and first came to Utila in 2012 on a research internship. He has since spent the last 3 summers working on Utila and Roatan, gaining experience in being a site manager for Operation Wallacea. As a PADI Instructor, Joe loves being able to combine his passion for diving with conducting research, and strives to continue to enhance the understanding and conservation of coral reefs around the Bay Islands. Joe says that he is currently living his dream job!
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.