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Big Fish Initiative

HHMI Tangled Bank Studios PROJECT
Big Fish Initiative by HHMI Tangled Bank Studios

credits

Title
  • Big Fish Initiative
Entrant
  • HHMI Tangled Bank Studios

About This Project

Summary

The Big Fish Initiative is focused on the protection of fish spawning aggregations (FSA) and sustainable management of reef species that gather to reproduce in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean. We unite fishers, decision-makers and consumers to #RecoverBigFish by adopting a region-wide management for effective FSA protection. We advocate for a collaborative approach combining scientific and fishers’ knowledge, and facilitates fishers’ engagement in the research, conservation and decision-making.

Goals & Objectives

The Big Fish Initiative is seeking to recover big fish and protect coral reef species for millions of people who depend on them. Goals: 1 Raise public awareness of coastal reef ecosystems 2 Improve regional marine protected area policies & engagement 3 Build capacity within community-led coalitions

Results & Impact

In 2021 the “Treasure of the Caribbean” film production inspired federal coral reef protections in Belize and Guatemala. From 2023-2024 the Big Fish Initiative strengthened these protections, extended them into Honduras, and secured new enforcement commitments from regional agencies and businesses.