LITTLE CAYMAN RESEARCH CENTER

LITTLE CAYMAN RESEARCH CENTER
The Little Cayman Research Center (LCRC) is a field education and research station. It has labs, a classroom, and dormitory-style or private-room living accommodations to support researchers and students. It may be booked by groups or individual researchers and scientists for reef research.

LITTLE CAYMAN RESEARCH CENTER'S UNIQUE POSITION
The Little Cayman Research Center is in a unique isolated oceanic location in the Caribbean basin with a low human population (~150 people) and anthropogenic pressures, and with easy access to both shallow and adjacent deep coral reefs that have been part of a marine protected area for over 25 years.

There is increased understanding that deep reefs are a source of commercially and ecologically important organisms that could re-seed shallow reefs and have potential biotechnological importance. For these reasons, we are an important reference site for coral reef research and will continue to be relevant in understanding the effects of stressors on these ecosystems.

In addition, as one of the few international sites for a NOAA Integrated Coral Observing Network (ICON) oceanographic and weather station, and a robust database of fish and benthic communities collected since 1999, we are actively assembling a team of scientists who can be innovative in their approach to addressing specific stress and connectivity research objectives on all scales (molecular, ecosystem, and evolutionary).

“I know you are in the early stages of establishing the station but I was seriously impressed by the facilities you have in place. I have been visiting marine research stations for over 30 years and have come to realize what it takes to make a good research station. The LCRC has hit on the winning formula. In my estimation it is already the best facility in the Caribbean and ranks among the best in the world (Lizard Island Research Station holds that prime position). The LCRC facilities are basic but practical; clearly a great deal of thought has been put into ensuring that the center delivers quality support for teaching and research.”

Visiting scientist, Dr. David Bellwood, School of Marine & Tropical Biology, Australian Research Council Center of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, speaking about the Little Cayman Research Center on his 2007 trip here.