Since 2017, we have empowered local fishermen (who are already at sea daily) to collect baseline information about mega fauna, helping understand their distribution and the threats they face in Haiti.   Information about the distribution and abundance of species is the key to both understanding the status of the species, and whether the status of the population is improving, steady or declining. 

This is a first step towards the development of a sustainable eco-tourism sector for the Haitian economy which would benefit both its residents and its marine ecosystems.  In addition, Haitian youth who are participating in Haiti Ocean Project initiatives, can also participate and/or be trained to identify species and perhaps eventually serve as naturalists and boat captains aboard whale and dolphin watching excursions.