August 2016

Great news! Thanks to the lionfish gala dinners that took place on August 18^th and 19^th, we managed to raise funds to donate 5 study scholarships for one year to students from the community of El Quetzalito. Education is the only way to broaden the horizons in the people of the communities, making them able to pursue their dreams. These dinners were prepared by the Group of women of El Quetzalito, who worked hard for three days, to show that dreams do come true. We would like to thank all the people who attended this event, our partners and donors: El Quetzalito, Milly Bruderer, La Margaritas Culinary Academy, Guatevisión, La Cava de los Monjes, CONAP, Dipesca, FCG, MarFund, German cooperation through the KfW, Francis Bruderer, Raquel Miron and Otto Becker.

You can still be part of the change! Write to us via Inbox or by email to eareano@fundacionmundoazul.com and ask as you can make your donation to take more scholarships to the communities of the Caribbean of Guatemala.

Last week, from 24^th to 26^th of August, Blue World Foundation, with the support of the Rufford Foundation, held the second workshop of the project “participatory management of shark fishermen in the Caribbean of Guatemala”. During this workshop was given to each of the participants the “Manual of Monitoring of Sharks and Rays for Fishing Technicians and Fishermen” and “shark identification guides”, material that was explained during the workshop. In addition, during this workshop, fishermen and local volunteers were told how to conduct a monitoring of landings of sharks and rays. To this end, they were explained how to carry out a monitoring of sharks and scientific rays, collecting scientific data, photographs and samples, material that is later used for scientific purposes.

Final Course Project lionfish We concluded the project: “Control of the populations of lionfish in the Motagüilla Reef in a participatory way with the community of El Quetzalito in the RVSPM”. We have worked with more than 200 lionfish, trained 8 people in responsible hunting, and prepared more than 12 lion fish recipes!!! To close with a brooch of gold, we made a cooking contest, in which the women of this beautiful community, exposed their talent and creativity…!

We are very grateful to all the people who participated, with the community of El Quetzalito, with the donors: FCG, Marfund, KFW/German cooperation and CONAP. This is a little dream come true.