We have been recognized as leaders in marine conservation and restoration along our members as part of the Intergovern­mental Panel on Climate Change and Habitat Advisory Panel of the Caribbean Fishery Management Council. SAM is also part of the Coral Restoration Consortium, Latin American Coral Reef Restoration Consortium, the Puerto Rican Coral Reef Resto­ration Consortium, and the Association of the Marine Laboratories of the Caribbean. The success of our science-based approach in restoration is supported by over 30 peer-review publications in the last five years.

SAM maintains a growing network of collaborative interagency level support, both from Puerto Rico’s State and Municipal agencies, as well as Federal institutions, NGOs, and private organizations. It also maintains strong collaborative efforts with academia, including universities from Puerto Rico, the United States, Central America, and South America.

Current Projects

Ocean Community Engagement and Awareness using NASA Observations and Science for Hispanic/Latino students (OCEANOS)

Ocean Community Engagement and Awareness using NASA Observations and Science for Hispanic/Latino students (OCEANOS)

Funded by: NASA’s Ames Research Center

Principal Researcher: Samuel Suleiman, MBA

Restoration of corals exterminated by Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD)

Stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD): An integrative study for the management and conservation of susceptible coral species

Funded by: Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) and Banco Popular of Puerto Rico

Principal Researcher: Samuel Suleiman, MBA and Edwin Hernández, Ph.D.

The black urchin (Diadema antillarum) massive resurgent die-off: Causes, demographic and community consequences

The black urchin (Diadema antillarum) massive resurgent die-off: Causes, demographic and community consequences

Funded by: National Science Foundation (2243580)
Principal Researcher: Carlos Toledo-Hernández, Ph.D. and Claudia Patricia Ruiz-Diaz, Ph.D.

Understanding the Effect of Sea Surface Temperature and Solar Radiation on the Allocation of Resources into Immune Defense, Growth and Reproduction of Acropora cervicornis.

Understanding the Effect of Sea Surface Temperature and Solar Radiation on the Allocation of Resources into Immune Defense, Growth and Reproduction of Acropora cervicornis.

Funded by: Sea Grant PR-NOAA (In collaboration with PDC) (NA14OAR417006)

Principal Researcher: Claudia Patricia Ruiz-Diaz, Ph.D. and Carlos Toledo-Hernández, Ph.D.

Impact of the invasive sea vine Halophila stipulacea on native seagrasses, invertebrates, and fish assemblages

Impact of the invasive sea vine Halophila stipulacea on native seagrasses, invertebrates, and fish assemblages

Funded by: NOAA (NA19NOS4820126 )

Principal Researcher: Claudia Patricia Ruiz-Diaz, Ph.D. and Carlos Toledo-Hernández, Ph.D.

Are human impacts, alien seagrasses and environmental changes compromising the viability of Caribbean-native seagrass meadows

Are human impacts, alien seagrasses, and environmental changes compromising the viability of Caribbean-native seagrass meadows

Funded by: Sea Grant PR-NOAA (In collaboration with PDC) (NA18OAR4170089)
Principal Researcher: Claudia Patricia Ruiz-Diaz, Ph.D. and Carlos Toledo-Hernández, Ph.D.

Community Coral Reef Rehabilitation Program in Culebra, Puerto Rico

Community Coral Reef Rehabilitation Program in Culebra, Puerto Rico

Funded by: TOYOTA Foundation & FORD PR

Principal Researcher: Claudia Patricia Ruiz-Diaz, Ph.D. and Carlos Toledo-Hernández, Ph.D.

Stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD): An integrative study for the management and conservation of susceptible coral species

Stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD): An integrative study for the management and conservation of susceptible coral species

Funded by: National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Principal Researcher: Edwin Hernández, Ph.D.

Restoring the three-dimensional structure of hurricane-impacted coral reefs in Puerto Rico

Restoring the seagrass-coral reef continuum habitats across heavily hurricane-impacted coastal areas in Culebra Island, Puerto Rico ​

Funded by: National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Principal Researcher: Alex Mercado, Ph.D.

Preventing habitat loss of the endangered cactus Leptocereus grantianus by increasing the wave attenuation capability of seagrass beds and coral reefs in Culebra, Puerto Rico

Preventing habitat loss of the endangered cactus Leptocereus grantianus by ​increasing the wave attenuation capability of seagrass beds and coral reefs in Culebra, Puerto Rico

Funded by:  US Fish & Wildlife Service
Principal Researcher: Alex Mercado, Ph.D.

Restoring the three-dimensional structure of hurricane-impacted coral reefs in Puerto Rico

Restoring the three-dimensional structure of hurricane-impacted coral reefs in Puerto Rico

Funded by: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Principal Researcher: Alex Mercado, Ph.D.

Our Partners

“Sociedad Ambiente Marino has proudly collaborated over the years with multiple organizations, from both the nonprofit and private sector to government institutions.”