U.S., Cuban and Mexican scientists to attend conference at Mote

U.S., Cuban and Mexican scientists will finalize a long-term research and conservation plan for the Gulf of Mexico and western Caribbean at the fourth meeting of the Trinational Initiative for Marine Science Sept. 27 through Sept. 29 at Mote Marine Laboratory.

A related tri-national workshop will take place Sept. 30 to focus on the status and management of shark fisheries throughout the Gulf.

The conference is the first meeting of the Trinational Initiative to be held in the United States. At the conference, Mote scientists will join colleagues from more than 20 organizations in developing a unified marine conservation plan. Scientists will work to finalize a plan drafted at last year’s Trinational Initiative conference, held in Havana, to conserve marine life in vulnerable areas of the Gulf and western Caribbean Sea. Scientists will also discuss effects of the BP Deepwater Horizon spill.

“We’re excited to re-unite with our colleagues and friends from Cuba, Mexico and the United States to work toward completion of our long-term research and conservation plan at this critical time for the Gulf of Mexico,” said Mote President Dr. Kumar Mahadevan in a prepared statement. “Mote is front and center in studying human impacts to the Gulf and our decades of research experience here and our relationships in the Caribbean region will help to make this five-year plan as effective as possible.”

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected].