The project began with training workshops on marine ecology and genomics techniques in October 2013 and March 2014, the latter including a week-long field trip to Juan Venado Island Nature Reserve. As the centerpiece of the project, Dr. Huete-Pérez and his team organized the VII International Conference on Central American Marine Biodiversity and Genomics in Managua May 8-10, 2014. The principal goal of this conference was to promote the development and use of biotechnology innovation in Nicaragua and surrounding countries and to create an international network for local marine biology exploration and research. Tandem goals of great importance included strengthening ties between the academic, governmental, non-governmental and private industry sectors; and providing training to local researchers in Nicaragua and the Central American region. Participants discussed key threats to the region’s marine ecosystems, priority topics for further study, and various constraints hindering the adoption and implementation of appropriate environmental management policies. To promote new collaborative linkages, there were also networking sessions for the international participants, including Nobel Laureate Sir Richard Roberts, to interact with local researchers and students.

As a follow-up to the conference, the PEER project team held a training workshop in August 2014 on methods and bioprospecting for research on marine microorganisms at the PI’s home institution. The week-long workshop, taught by Dr. Tracy Mincer of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, included lectures, a field visit to Pochomil, a sandy beach on the Pacific coast of Nicaragua, and hands-on lab work. Attendees included delegates from various Nicaraguan institutions, including the Molecular Biology Center (CBM-UCA), the Bluefields Indian and Caribbean University (BICU), the University of the Autonomous Regions of the Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua (URACCAN), and UCA itself. As a result of the workshop, the team proposed the organization of a new research seminar series focused on marine conservation and bioprospecting, providing an informal setting to discuss current projects, data interpretation, and future proposals.

The Marine Biodiversity Initiative Project continued with another set of workshops in February and March 2015 to provide specific training for young researchers from CBM-UCA focused on two main topics, the microbial quality of medicinal plant materials and biodiversity and sustainable use of fish in the coastal zone of Central America. After the project was completed, Dr. Huete-Pérez reported that he and his colleagues were seeking support from other sponsors for new research projects focused on marine conservation and bioprospecting.