Silt traps could help avoid this problem. Unpaved roads on the mainland and in the islands cause sediment to fall on the coral, threatening to suffocate it. Bay Islanders believe that unstable beaches also contribute to the problem. Hurricane Mitch had mixed effects on sedimentation. In other places, it dumped more sediment on the coral.
Sedimentation kills coral.
Roatan's municipal garbage dump is located on a wetland in Mud Hole. When it rains, run off from this dump leaches out on to the reef. The run off encourages the growth of algae, which is thought to worsen coral bleaching. In the Bay Islands, latrines used to be built over the water. In the West End-Sandy Bay area, this type of latrine still exists, and is also associated with poor reef health.