¡Vive la experiencia del AMLC 2025 – 41st Meeting! 🌊✨
La 41.ª Reunión de la Asociación de Laboratorios Marinos del Caribe (AMLC), titulada “Bridging Science and Society Toward a Sustainable Future for a Changing World”, se celebró del 2 al 6 de junio de 2025 en el Hotel Verdanza, Isla Verde, Puerto Rico.
Este evento científico de gran relevancia reunió a investigadores, profesionales, educadores y formuladores de políticas abordando los desafíos más urgentes que enfrentan nuestros océanos hoy en día. A través de la colaboración, la conferencia destacará el papel esencial de la ciencia marina en la conservación y educación en toda la región.
Se presentó investigaciones de vanguardia, tecnologías innovadoras y soluciones prácticas para la protección de hábitats críticos como los arrecifes de coral, manglares, praderas marinas y el océano abierto.
🌊 Por los océanos, un coral a la vez.
Over 20 countries visited Puerto Rico for the 41st Scientific Conference of the Association of Marine Laboratories of the Caribbean (AMLC 2025)
The Marine Environment Society (Sociedad Ambiente Marino – SAM) successfully hosted the 41st edition of the Scientific Conference of the Association of Marine Laboratories of the Caribbean (AMLC) from June 2 to 6, 2025, at Hotel Verdanza in Isla Verde. Held under the theme “Caribbean Marine: Bridging Science and Society Toward a Resilient, Sustainable Future for a Changing World,” this international event brought together researchers, educators, students, practitioners, and policymakers to address the most pressing challenges facing our oceans.
Founded in Puerto Rico in 1956, the AMLC returned to its roots thanks to the leadership of SAM, a Puerto Rican non-profit organization celebrating 25 years of work in marine conservation, restoration, and education in the Caribbean. The event reaffirmed its commitment to advancing scientific knowledge, environmental education, and regional collaboration.
Throughout the week, participants explored a wide range of topics, including Coral Reef Ecology, Oceanography, Fisheries Management, Marine Pollution, Blue Exploration and Economics, Science Education and Outreach, Marine Protected Areas, Community Engagement, and Citizen Science. Cutting-edge research, innovative technologies, and practical solutions for protecting vital ecosystems—such as coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds, and open ocean environments—were shared across sessions and panels.
“We were deeply honored to host this event on the Island of Enchantment. It was not only a platform for scientific exchange, but also a crucial space for building connections among students, scientists, and resource managers, strengthening the collaborative commitment to marine conservation in the Caribbean,” said Puerto Rican biologist Dr. Alex E. Mercado Molina, host of AMLC 2025.
“It was a true honor for the Marine Environment Society to host an event that originated on our beloved island, opening the door for new collaborations and regional projects that support Caribbean well-being,” said Samuel Suleimán, executive director of SAM.
Frances Candelas, president of SAM’s Board of Directors, added: “We received the AMLC Scientific Conference with great enthusiasm. It was a historic return to its origins, marked by a record number of participants—experts and young scientists alike—who exchanged knowledge for the conservation of the Caribbean’s marine and coastal ecosystems.”
Coinciding with Coral Reef Week, a special Facebook Live session was held on Wednesday, June 4, in collaboration with the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER), sharing key insights on reef health and the importance of their protection.
The Marine Environment Society thanked the entire scientific, educational, and civil community for their participation in AMLC 2025. From Puerto Rico to the world, the event proved to be a powerful step forward in uniting science and society for a resilient and sustainable ocean future.
