Marine and Coastal Ecology Research Center

Marine Science : Research and Education

Research & Education Projects

MCERC’s activities are constructed to assure that education is an integral part of every research effort focus, collaboration, and supporting role, that we explore. Programs for open enrollment through the MCERC Education Hub are one way you can join in the work we do towards understanding what healthy oceans need from humans.

Marine Megafauna

Marine Megafauna

“Behavioral Ecology” is 1) the science of studying individual and group behaviors of animals of the same species, 2) taking into account the pressure that changes in their environment impose upon the success of the species to survive over time, and 3) examining the information in their context of their environment. The goal is for behavioral ecologists to be able to understand the past in order to predict what the result of human and natural activities will have on ecosystems as we move into the future.

 Cetacean (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) behavioral ecology is where MCERC’s journey into marine conservation began. As is often the case, important scientific discoveries gleaned from MCERC’s research continues to raise more questions, and has connected a determined group of leaders with a common goal; to contribute to the health of Earth’s oceans while infusing a passion for conservation that is far reaching amongst humans. 
Global Collaborations

Global Collaborations

MCERC’s efforts began with the initiation of the Humpback Whale Research Project in 2010 in the waters surrounding Puerto Rico, USA. The project expanded to examine the behaviors of humpback whales in the Turks and Caicos Islands, and now includes the waters of the Dominican Republic, and partnerships with The Haiti Ocean Project and SharkWise of South Africa. Collaboration with our colleagues in Jamaica are part of our Greater Antilles Marine Biodiversity Collaboration where MCERC plays the leading role in our “Atomic Model for Research Collaboration”. The Atomic Model is a visual representation of how The Greater Antilles Marine Biodiversity Collaboration extends support and opportunity to scientists in underserved areas, invites senior scientists to develop a synergy of expertise while working together, and hosts exchange programs for a broad spectrum of educational and cultural backgrounds.

Global Collaborations

Global Involvement

MCERC’s efforts began with the initiation of the Humpback Whale Research Project in 2010 in the waters surrounding Puerto Rico, USA. The project expanded to examine the behaviors of humpback whales in the Turks and Caicos Islands, and now includes the waters of the Dominican Republic, and  partnerships with The Haiti Ocean Project and SharkWise of South Africa. Collaboration with our colleagues in Jamaica are part of our Greater Antilles Marine Biodiversity Collaboration where MCERC plays the leading role in our “Atomic Model for Research Collaboration”. The Atomic Model is a visual representation of how The Greater Antilles Marine Biodiversity Collaboration extends support and opportunity to scientists in underserved areas, invites senior scientists to develop a synergy of expertise while working together, and hosts exchange programs for a broad spectrum of educational and cultural backgrounds.

Cetaceans

Cetaceans

Cetacean (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) are “charismatic megafauna” and the focal research effort in many of the locations MCERC teams study. These two humpback whales were observed in the Caribbean Sea and behaviors were recorded then analyzed. This study, and others like it, continue to result in significant new information about their life history. Behaviors are a clue which lead our scientists to ask “why and how do they do that?!”. Ethology (the study of behaviors) is often the first step that pulls MCERC collaborators together to solve mysteries, and those answers help marine managers design conservation strategies.

Photo credit: Mithriel MacKay

Sea Turtle Conservation

Sea Turtle Conservation

Sea Turtle Conservation with collaborators is of interest to many humans. These charismatic animals help bring areas of concern to the hearts of many people when photos of injured, drowned, or ill individuals circulate through social media. Our faculty strive to create ambassadors for marine conservation who share facts and bring realistic actions every human can embrace.

Sharks

Sharks

Sharks are keystone species in the integrated ecosystems of the oceans. Behaviors of sharks are often misunderstood but, with the help of MCERC programs, the fascinating life history of many sharks is being shared with more humans. Get the facts and spread the information and take an active role in marine conservation.

Photo credit: JP Zegarra
FAUNA

Field Sites

Field Sites

Field sites include locations along the coast, studying reefs, in warm waters of the Caribbean, and frigid waters of the Arctic.

Photo credit: JP Zegarra
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