Supporting the management and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in Honduras Photos by George Stoyle    
 
   
Coconut Disease
Overview
A disease epidemic that has spread from Mexico and Belize to Honduras has killed hundreds of thousands of coconut palms along the Caribbean coast. Not only are these palms an icon of the Caribbean and a tourism lure, but they provide essential shore protection binding the loose sands together along the waters edge. Working out ways to combat the disease and repopulate the islands coconuts will not only help revitalise the islands own population and help protect the fringing reefs from run-off, but if a solution can be found that works on Utila then this may be transferable to other coastal communities across the region who rely directly on coconut as their only source of livelihood.


First signs of lethal yellowing


Diseased Foci
 Research
Recently it was discovered that the main palm disease killing the coconuts was not one disease but two separate pathogens which present similar symptoms. Treating the diseases as one has previously confused the issues of infection and transmission and made it harder to find a successful treatment. Now researchers from the Zamorano Pan-American School for Agriculture are trying to identify the pathogen of this new disease, its mode of infection and transmission in the hopes of finding an effective solution. UCME is assisting this project by establishing and maintaining study sites of coconut palms, collecting information on its spread and samples for genetic and bacteriological analysis. Further, the coconut project incorporates extensive community involvement to educate planters and the community as a whole of how to best combat the disease as it moves around the island.
 
 

Utila Centre for Marine Ecology, East Harbour, Utila, Honduras | | +5044253026
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