Roatan diving conditions

[Bellen4@cox.net]

On my recent trip to Roatan there was a lot of vegetation/algae growth on walls that gave everything a greenish-brown hue, and the water clarity was not the best. Does anyone know if this is a recent condition or if it temporary? I don't have much experience diving yet, so just wondering how this compared to other divers experiences there. Last year at Cozumel the water was clear as it could possibly be and the coral was all visible, not covered by much growth. I realize conditions change over time in any ecosystem, so just trying to get an idea of "normal" for Roatan.
Thanks, BER

[Joanne]

Ber,

I went to Roatan in Dec 2012 and while there we met several locals (one that was a biologist) that told us the algae growth is a result of construction going on in the upper parts of the island. The construction is causing soil runoff which in turn is covering the coral. He said it has gotten worse over the last couple of years.