iili intern Samantha VanWingen reflects on shark tagging, reef research, and the deep sense of community found while living and working in La Moskitia, Honduras.

Where can you swim with sharks? When and where are prime spots to see them? When is whale shark season? These questions often appear in Roatán travel groups. Sharks are undeniably fascinating, and I always hope to see them whenever I dive or snorkel. Many people associate the island of Utila with whale sharks, which used to be regular visitors there. However, over the years, the number of sightings has drastically decreased. It’s important to note that this was never a shark

So much has been accomplished since this first small step with the MCAF. As I look back and reflect on all we have accomplished, I try to keep reminding myself that purpose is built step by step, and that although this journey can often feel lonely, hopeless and impossible we need to continue to build momentum and celebrate small wins. For ilili, this means going from a one-woman team to an amazing team of young committed Honduran professionals, conversations and dialogues