The 2025 AMLC Scientific Meeting, hosted by SAM (https://www.sampr.org) will take place in San Juan, Puerto Rico June 2-6. Stay tuned for information about abstract submission, registration, and student funding opportunities!
Caribbean Marine Resilience: Bridging Science and Society toward a Sustainable Future for a Changing World
Theme description:
The 41st scientific meeting of the Association of Marine Laboratories of the Caribbean (AMLC) highlights the vital role of collaboration in advancing marine science, conservation, and education across the region by bringing together various stakeholders, including researchers, practitioners, educators, and policymakers, to address the most pressing challenges facing our oceans today. Spanning topics such as coral reef ecology, oceanography, fisheries management, climate change impacts, marine pollution, exploration, education, and the blue economy, the conference will showcase cutting-edge research, innovative technologies, and actionable solutions across critical habitats like coral reefs, mangroves, seagrasses, and the open ocean. Practical topics, such as field station operations, will also be addressed to support effective marine research and education. By integrating diverse disciplines and fostering meaningful dialogue and collaboration among member institutions, this symposium seeks to strengthen marine science in the Wider Caribbean Region to ensure sustainable ecosystems for future generations.
SESSION GROUPS AND TOPICS:
SESSION GROUP 1: CORAL REEF ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION.
Session Group 1 explores the latest research on reef health, resilience, and conservation strategies. Topics include reef resilience, symbiosis and bleaching, genetics and genomics, reproduction and recruitment, disease, and restoration at levels ranging from molecules to ecosystems.
SESSION GROUP 2: CLIMATE CHANGE AND OCEANOGRAPHY
Session Group 2 explores challenges faced by climate change in coastal and open ocean ecosystems including rising sea levels, ocean warming, acidification, and physical/chemical/geological processes that drive these changes, emphasizing mitigation and adaptation strategies.
SESSION GROUP 3: FISHERIES SCIENCE, AQUACULTURE AND MANAGEMENT
Session Group 3 explores sustainable fisheries, management, and aquaculture systems crucial for maintaining marine biodiversity and food security. Topics include stock assessments, physiology and ecology, hatcheries, effective fishing practices, and governance mechanisms for equitable resource distribution.
SESSION GROUP 4: MACROFAUNA & MEGAFAUNA
Session Group 4 explores coastal and offshore macrofauna and megafauna. Topics include diversity, physiology, behavior, migration routes, and spawning aggregations of key species, as well as environmental challenges to conservation.
SESSION GROUP 5: MANGROVES, SEAGRASSES & SARGASSUM ECOLOGY
Session Group 5 explores research, restoration practices, and monitoring on ecosystem function of mangroves, seagrass, and coastal wetlands, and a special session on the benefits and nuisances of Sargassum.
SESSION GROUP 6: TECHNOLOGY & EXPLORATION
Session Group 6 explores advances in technologies and their application for coastal and marine science including, but not limited to, remote sensing, GIS, structure from motion (SfM), biomaterials, and ocean exploration.
SESSION GROUP 7: MARINE PROTECTED AREAS (MPAs) AND POLICY
Session Group 7 examines the design, implementation, management, and efficacy of MPAs, along with their socio-economic and ecological impacts in the region.
SESSION GROUP 8: MARINE POLLUTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
Session Group 8 focuses on the impacts of marine pollution and other stressors aiming to identify innovative solutions for environmental health. Topics include toxicology, plastic pollution, water quality challenges, groundwater discharge, and the spread of invasive species.
SESSION GROUP 9: MARINE BIODIVERSITY AND HISTORICAL ECOLOGY
Session Group 9 focuses on understanding past and present biodiversity patterns as keys to predicting future changes. This includes topics such as species identification, habitat mapping, species distribution, and ecosystem monitoring.
SESSION GROUP 10: BLUE ECONOMY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
The blue economy provides pathways to balance economic growth with ocean health. Session Group 10 focuses on the blue economy with topics including carbon sequestration, renewable energy, aquaculture, and eco-tourism as pillars of sustainable development.
SESSION GROUP 11: MARINE EDUCATION, OUTREACH & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Session Group 11 explores strategies for education, outreach, citizen science, and fostering collaboration between scientists and local stakeholders to protect marine environments. Presenters are encouraged to highlight upcoming programs to attract new participants.
SESSION GROUP 12: FIELD STATION OPERATIONS, LOGISTICS, AND SAFETY
Effective field station management is essential for supporting marine research, education and collaboration. As a consortium of marine laboratories, the AMLC is committed to promoting exchange of ideas, tools, and tips among its members for safely and effectively conducting marine science and education. Session Group 12 will explore insights into operational best practices, logistics, and safety, including visitor safeguarding, laboratory design, and diving.
Abstract Submission Guidelines:
Word limit: 300 words
Title (in bold)
Authors (first name last name), underline who is presenting, list affiliations under author names by number, indicate affiliation for each author using superscript on last name (e.g., Smith1)
Key words: three to five key words or short phrases
Presentation style preference: Standard Talk 12 min, Lightning Talk 5 min, Poster
Presenting author student? Y or N
