This issue of the CMS Newsletter focuses on international fisheries research collaborations, coral reef monitoring activities and marine conservation initiatives coordinated by the Centre for Marine Sciences, UWI Mona. Highlights include the launch of the ECOST Fisheries Project, updates from the Jamaica Coral Reef Monitoring Network, educational and outreach programmes at the Port Royal and Discovery Bay Marine Laboratories, and a wide range of ongoing marine biodiversity and environmental research projects.

This issue of the Centre for Marine Sciences (CMS) Newsletter highlights the major research activities, environmental initiatives and institutional developments undertaken during 2007 at the University of the West Indies, Mona. Featured stories include biodiversity conservation efforts in Port Royal mangroves, upgrades to the Discovery Bay Marine Laboratory, coral reef monitoring and restoration projects, fisheries ecosystem modeling, and regional climate change collaborations.

This issue of the CMS Newsletter features Professor Dale Webber's presentation at the 2013 UWI Research Days. Entitled "Funding Environmental Research at the UWI: an investment in the Future", the talk highlighted the role of environmental research in the UWI 2012 to 2017 strategic plan. Professor Webber provided evidence of continued UWI support for research despite reducing government contributions and fluctuating external grant opportunities over the past five years.

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This issue of the CMS Newsletter features the highlights of the AMLC 36th Scientific Meeting held in Ocho Rios, Jamaica and hosted by the CMS/DBML. This 36th Scientific Meeting represented a reunion for some persons and a re-visit of old research sites for others.

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The University of the West Indies was fortunate enough to partner with TBA21 to establish the Alligator Head Marine Lab in order to conduct re-search on the marine environ-ment in the eastern section of the island. The launch of this collaboration, which will facilitate and greatly enhance our ability to fill the data gaps that have been previously identified, is featured in this issue of the CMS Newsletter.

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