Our History

Since 2000, the Incorporation bylaws describe the SAM as a nonprofit environmental organization that provides marine conservation service. In 2004 he obtained the federal tax exemption certification 501 (c) (3).

Convinced that social welfare depends significantly on the sustainable use and management of natural resources, the Company pursues its mission through action in four main aspects: 1) in education projects and dissemination of information on our marine resources; 2) encouraging and facilitating direct contact with these resources and the active and practical participation of citizens; 3) training our members for the development and monitoring of research projects; 4) Participating in public forums, in the discussion and management of impact projects for our marine resources.

Since its foundation it has had the participation of numerous volunteers, the Society has cooperated with various organizations in the management of environmental benefit projects. The SAM began its work with its participation as co-coordinator of the International Coastal Cleanup Day, a work that it carried out for several consecutive years and for which it was recognized with the AWARE awards of PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) and DIVE-IN (Coral Reef Alliance) for these tasks. In subsequent years he has collaborated with Conserva el Encanto, ICCPRO and Scuba Dogs in the International Cleaning of Coasts.

Biographical Profile

Supporting Organization for ASLO 2019 Aquatic Sciences Meeting

2019

  • This meeting was held in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, organized by the Punta Cana Foundation; during the days of May 20 to 24, 2019. SAM was represented with 3 oral presentations and 4 posters. Also SAM became institutional member in the AMLC.
  • PreCOP25 Costa Rica: Participation as a panelist.
  • Coral Disease Outbreak Response Workshop, St. Thomas campus of the University of the Virgin Islands.
  • Simposio de Ciencias Marinas, Mayaguez, PR: 4 oral presentation,

Two (2) oral presentations in CRC's Reef Futures, Key Largo, FL. With excellent exit remarks and networking activities with other Caribbean groups.

2018

  • Project coordinator in Coral Reef Transect and Transplantation Projects in Tamarindo, and Punta Soldado Beaches, Culebra PR in collaboration with UPR/CATEC’s Coral Reef Research Group, NOAA, Protectores de Cuencas, Hispanic Federation, and/or Mercy Corps.
  • Mitigation and monitoring of Coral Transplant, Pier of Culebra, PR.
  • Mitigation and monitoring of Coral Transplant, Paseo Real Marina, Aguadilla, PR.
  • Four (4) oral presentations and two (2) poster presentation in MarCuba, Habana, CU.
  • Two (2) oral presentations in CRC’s Reef Futures, Key Largo, FL.

First place for the Ivan Goodbody Student Achievement Award winner for the best student poster presentation, at the The 38th AMLC Scientific Meeting in Merida MX.

2017

  • Project coordinator in Coral Reef Transect and Transplantation Projects in Tamarindo, and Punta Soldado Beaches, Culebra PR in collaboration with UPR/CATEC’s Coral Reef Research Group, NOAA, Protectores de Cuencas.
  • Mitigation and monitoring of Coral Transplant, Pier of Culebra, PR.
  • Citizen Science Association, Minesota, USA.
  • 38th AMLC Merida, MX: 3 oral presentations and 6 posters including best poster presentation award.
  • American Fisheries Society, Tampa, FL: 1 oral presentation.
  • Mitigation and monitoring of Coral Transplant, Paseo Real Marina, Aguadilla, PR.

International Coral Reef Symposium of the ISRS in Hawaii

2016

  • Project coordinator in Coral Reef Transect and Transplantation Projects in Tamarindo, and Punta Soldado Beaches, Culebra PR in collaboration with UPR/CATEC’s Coral Reef Research Group, Asociacion de Pescadores de Culebra and Coralations.
  • Mitigation and monitoring of Coral Transplant, Paseo Real Marina, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.
  • Subaward between Sea Grant, University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez and SAM.
  • International Coral Reef Symposium of the ISRS in Hawaii: 3 oral presentations and 3 posters.

Mitigation and monitoring of Coral Transplant, Paseo Real Marina, Aguadilla, PR.

2015

  • Project coordinator in Coral Reef Transect and Transplantation Projects in Tamarindo, and Punta Soldado Beaches, Culebra PR in collaboration with UPR/CATEC’s Coral Reef Research Group, Asociacion de Pescadores de Culebra and Coralations.
  • Winner of the Coral Reef Task Force (CRTF) Award.
  • Coral Transplantation Monitoring, Paseo Real Marina, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.

Continuation of the Coral Reef Transect and Transplantation Projects in Tamarindo, and Punta Soldado Beaches, Culebra PR

2014

  • Project coordinator in Coral Reef Transect and Transplantation Projects in Tamarindo, and Punta Soldado Beaches, Culebra PR in collaboration with UPR/CATEC’s Coral Reef Research Group, Asociacion de Pescadores de Culebra and Coralations.

36th AMLC, Jamaica

2013

  • The 36th AMLC Scientific Meeting was sponsored by the Discovery Bay Marine Laboratory, University of the West Indies and hosted by AMLC President Peter Gayle from June 17-21 in Jamaica.
  • We had 8 Posters and 3 Oral presentations. https://www.cesampr.com/uploads/8/8/3/3/8833065/7326429.jpg?409

Continuation of the Coral Reef Transect and Transplantation Projects in Tamarindo, and Punta Soldado Beaches, Culebra PR

2012

  • Project coordinator in Coral Reef Transect and Transplantation Projects in Tamarindo, and Punta Soldado Beaches, Culebra PR in collaboration with UPR/CATEC’s Coral Reef Research Group, Asociacion de Pescadores de Culebra and Coralations.

Subaward between TNC and SAM

2011

  • Subaward between TNC and SAM: Enhance shallow water fish nursery ground across several representative coral reefs in PR by applying low-tech methods to culture, harvest and transplant threatened Acroporid corals.
  • Project coordinator in Coral Reef Transect and Transplantation Projects in Tamarindo, and Punta Soldado Beaches, Culebra PR in collaboration with UPR/CATEC’s Coral Reef Research Group, Asociacion de Pescadores de Culebra and Coralations.
    2011 GCFI Cancun, MX 31 Octubre – 4 Noviembre 2011
  • Three Poster presentations:
    • Samuel Suleiman: Participación voluntaria como estrategia de manejo en el cultivo de corales para la restauración de habitat,
    • Carmen Gonzalez: Analysis of the Spatial-temporal Abundances of the Sea Urchin Diadema antillarum in 5 Sites of Puerto Rico,
    • Sandra Schleier: presentación “poster”: Abundance and Size Frequency of Coralliophila caribaea in Acropora cervicornis aquaculture farms.
  • One Oral presentation:
    • Roberto Colón: Status poblacional del erizo D. antillarum y su rol en el reclutamiento de coral .

Continuation of the Coral Reef Transect and Transplantation Projects in Tamarindo, and Punta Soldado Beaches, Culebra PR

2010

  • Project coordinator in Coral Reef Transect and Transplantation Projects in Tamarindo, and Punta Soldado Beaches, Culebra PR in collaboration with UPR/CATEC’s Coral Reef Research Group, Asociacion de Pescadores de Culebra and Coralations.

Winner of the Coral Reef Task Force (CRTF) Award

2009

  • Project coordinator in Coral Reef Transect and Transplantation Projects in Tamarindo, and Punta Soldado Beaches, Culebra PR in collaboration with UPR/CATEC’s Coral Reef Research Group, Asociacion de Pescadores de Culebra and Coralations.
  • SAM’s President was the Winner of the Coral Reef Task Force – CRTF Award, the meeting was held in San Juan, PR.

Publication of Characterization and monitoring of mechanical damage and loss of coral reef in determined areas of the Cordillera zone in Fajardo, Puerto Rico.

2008

  • Project coordinator in Coral Reef Transect and Transplantation Projects in Tamarindo, and Punta Soldado Beaches, Culebra PR in collaboration with UPR/CATEC’s Coral Reef Research Group, Asociacion de Pescadores de Culebra and Coralations.
  • Fundings awarded by Coastal Program of the US Fish & Wildlife Service for Coral Reef Transect and Transplantation Projects in Tamarindo, and Punta Soldado Beaches, Culebra PR.

Advisor of Starting a Fishing Lines Recovery Program in Aguadilla PR

2007

  • Project coordinator in Coral Reef Transect and Transplantation Projects in Tamarindo, and Punta Soldado Beaches, Culebra PR in collaboration with UPR/CATEC’s Coral Reef Research Group, Asociacion de Pescadores de Culebra and Coralations.
  • Fundings awarded by Coastal Program of the US Fish & Wildlife Service for Coral Reef Transect and Transplantation Projects in Tamarindo, and Punta Soldado Beaches, Culebra PR.
  • Commissioned by the Puerto Rico’s Natural Resources Department we began the “Characterization and monitoring of mechanical damage and loss of coral reef in determined areas of the Cordillera zone” at Fajardo PR.
  • Poster presentation of Low-tech community-based adaptive strategies to manage coral aquaculture and reef rehabilitation under climate change at the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute (GCFI) Meeting in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

Creation of a Student Chapter at the University of Puerto Rico (CESAM), in the Rio Piedras and Humacao Campus.

2006

  • Fundings awarded by Coastal Program of the US Fish & Wildlife Service for Coral Reef Transect and Transplantation Projects in Tamarindo, and Punta Soldado Beaches, Culebra PR.
  • Starting a Fishing Lines Recovery Program in PR commissioned by NOAA’s Marine Fisheries Services.
  • Video documentation of Margara grounding.

Nominee for the Miranda Foundation “Premio Solidaridad” (Solidarity Award)

2005

  • Winner of the EPA Award. SAM ‘s RECON Divers Course training in Culebra PR.
  • Member of the Advisory Committee in revision of the New Fishing Regulations of Puerto Rico.
  • Fundings awarded by Coastal Program of the US Fish & Wildlife Service for Coral Reef Transect and Transplantation Projects in Tamarindo, and Punta Soldado Beaches, Culebra PR.

Ocean Conservancy’s RECON Instructors Course in St.Croix (1 new Instructor)

2004

  • Ocean Conservancy’s RECON Instructors Course in St.Croix (1 new Instructor).
  • SAM ‘s RECON Divers Course training in Rincon and Ponce PR.
  • Awarded by NOAA for Active participation of the Puerto Rico’s Local Action Strategy Committee.
  • International Coastal Clean Up Co-Captain.
  • Fundings awarded by philanthropist Roland Pech, from California, for Coral Reef Transect and Transplantation Projects in Tamarindo, and Punta Soldado Beaches, Culebra PR.

Participation in REEF Instructors / Divers & Ocean Conservancy’s RECON Divers Course in Joyuda PR, and Cayo Levisa, Cuba.

2003

  • One Instructor sent for The Ocean Conservancy’s RECON Instructors Course in Cayo Levisa, Cuba.
  • Member of the Puerto Rico’s Local Action Strategy Committee.
  • Collaboration in Coral Reef Transect and Transplantation Projects in Punta Melones, and Tamarindo Beaches, Culebra PR.
  • International Coastal Clean Up Captain – Cayo Icaco, Fajardo PR.
  • PADI Project AWARE award for Coastal Clean-UP.

Collaboration in the evaluation Reef Condition (RECON) Protocol, Washington DC

2002

  • Participation in the REEF Instructors / Divers & The Ocean Conservancy’s RECON Divers Course in Parguera PR.
  • Participant of the Coral Reefs Task Force’s Local Action Strategy Initiative in St.Croix.
  • Member of the Puerto Rico’s Local Action Strategy Committee. DIVE-IN award for Coastal Clean-UP.
  • International Coastal Clean Up Coordinator – Toa Baja – 20 tons of garbage collected.
  • Collaboration in Coral Reef Transect and Transplantation Projects in Punta Melones Beach, Culebra PR.
  • PADI Project AWARE award for Coastal Clean-UP. Collaboration in the evaluation Reef Condition (RECON) Protocol, Washington DC.

Non-profit 501c compliance to IRS and administrative processes

2001

  • International Coastal Clean Up Coordinator – Bahia Ballena, Guanica – 150 bags collected.
  • Collaboration in Coral Reef Transect and Transplantation Project in Punta Melones Beach, Culebra PR.
  • PADI Project AWARE award for Coastal Clean-UP.

Incorporation in the State Department of Puerto Rico

2000

  • Incorporation in the State Department of Puerto Rico.
  • Coordinator International Coastal Clean Up – Cerro Gordo, Vega Alta – 50 bags collected.
  • Participation in the Ocean Conservancy (known as the Center for Marine Conservation)
  • 1st RECON (Reef Condition)
  • Instructors Course in Fajardo PR (2 Instructors and 1 Assistant Instructor).
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