Talk on “kin” sparks debate

(CNS): An in-depth presentation on “Kin”, also known as one’s relatives or family, sparked a colorful and thought provoking discussion about modern biology, and more specifically about the deep and close relationship among all life forms, at the first of the Central Caribbean Marine Institute’s Reef Reports. Dr David Ross Peart, Professor of Biological Sciences for Dartmouth College also discussed the details on the research his graduate students were working on at CCMI’s Little Cayman Research Centre and answered many impressive scientific questions.

According to a CCMI release, the final message of the evening is that our ongoing challenge is to better understand how to maintain some of the diversity of life that shares the planet with us.

The next Reef Report presentation is “Growing reefs, one piece at a time”, scheduled for 23 April at the Cracked Conch with a 7:00 pm welcome reception and 7:30 pm presentation. Guest speaker will be Craig A. Watson, the Vice President of Research and Conservation for the Florida Aquarium’s Board of Directors, and also holds an affiliation with the University of Florida. Participants will have a chance to hear about the Florida Aquarium’s coral reef restoration and education programs, in addition to the recent developments in building a relationship with Cayman Islands.

“We would like to thank The Cracked Conch for their ongoing generosity and it is because of their support that we are able to help increase the community’s knowledge on our local environment and the importance of conservation,” said Kellie Shoemaker, Sales and Events Coordinator for CCMI.

Guests at CCMI’s Reef Reports will be updated on the 2009/2010 educational initiatives that have been undertaken by CCMI, including Ocean Literacy, a program to increase our children’s understanding of the important links between our lives and the ocean.

Anyone interested in attending the Reef Reports should contact Kellie at 949-1938 or members@reefresearch.org . Space is very limited.

The Central CaribbeanMarine Institute was incorporated in 1998 as a non-profit 501 ©3 organization. CCMI was established as an international charitable organization after becoming incorporated in the Cayman Islands (2002) and in the UK in 2004.

Since its first years, CCMI has proven a valuable asset to the effort to understanding changing coral reef and tropical marine environments, and its research and education programs have established a solid foundation for future reef education and awareness in the Caribbean and for students and researchers from around the world.

For more information on the Central Caribbean Marine Institute, please see www.reefresearch.org