The general aim of the project is to strengthen the participation of fishing communities together with competent authorities of the area, with the purpose of having a proper management of the elasmobranch fishery. Also this project aims to support the establishment of the verification process of landings of elasmobranchs, in two villages of the Caribbean of Guatemala. By conducting monitoring of sharks and rays, we will determine the diversity and status of the elasmobranchs of the Caribbean of Guatemala. We will conduct workshops to train and to involve fishermen in the process of collecting scientific data of: landings of sharks and rays.

Through this project, we aim to provide support for the protection and conservation of elasmobranch species in two villages of the Caribbean of Guatemala. This will be addressed with the implementation of management measures through participatory monitoring and verification of landings, which will promote generating biological information to contribute to fisheries management. We also aim on strengthening the participation of civil society in the best management practices and sustainable use of fisheries resources. This will be achieved by involving them directly in the scientific monitoring of elasmobranchs and in the different workshops regarding the fishery resource. By involving fishermen in monitoring the resource of their interest (sharks and rays) they can realize first-hand the state of the fishery and see if this activity benefits them. Eventually, by involving fishermen in the process we want to encourage their participation in decisions on management measures through monitoring and resource assessment.