FINS Foundation
The Sea Turtle Directory
Country: Belize
Organization / Project Name: FINS Foundation
Website: finsfoundation.org
Email: abby@finsfoundation.org
Description: FINS (Field Institute for Natural Science) Foundation is a marine conservation and eco-tourism organization based in Placencia, Belize, working primarily in the Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve at the southern end of the Belize Barrier Reef. Brightwater Climate, led by Marine Biologist Jessie Stenftenagel, serves as our scientific research partner organization. Our sea turtle program focuses on hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) nesting at Nicholas Caye, an active rookery with no prior dedicated monitoring. We record nesting activity on standardized Belize Sea Turtle Conservation Network forms, document nest outcomes and hatchling success, and are building a nest protection program addressing coconut root invasion and tidal flooding: the two main causes of nest failure at this site. Data is shared with the Belize Fisheries Department, TIDE (reserve co-manager), and ECOMAR Belize. FINS also runs invasive lionfish removal, channel-clinging crab mariculture, marine conservation education, and Camp OAR, a youth marine science and stewardship program.
Species of focus: Hawksbills (Eretmochelys imbricata)
Volunteer program: Yes
Tourist activities (Y/N): Yes
Primary Areas of Work: Beach protection, Environmental education/community outreach, Community development, Nesting beach monitoring
Facebook Profile: https://www.facebook.com/finsbelize/
Instagram Profile: https://www.instagram.com/finsbelize/