The University of the West Indies, at Mona, Jamaica Homepage

The University of the West Indies

at Mona, Jamaica

 

About the Lab

The Discovery Bay Marine Laboratory (DBML) is a facility of the University of the West Indies dedicated to supporting research and the teaching of biology, chemistry, ecology, geology, hydrology and geography. The facility also seeks to apply the knowledge gleaned to the management of the natural resources in Jamaica's coastal zone.

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DBML was founded in 1965 as a laboratory dedicated to research on the biology and geology of coral reefs and on the organisms inhabiting them. Originally only partly funded by the University of the West Indies (UWI), it later became an integral part of the University, closely associated with the Department of Life Sciences but with its own staff and Director. When the Centre for Marine Sciences (CMS) was formed at the Mona Campus in 1990, DBML became part of the new Centre.

Discovery Bay is almost square, a mile wide and over 50-m deep. The fringing reef, which is nearly continuous along the north coast of Jamaica, runs across the entrance to the Bay and almost separates it from the open sea. The Laboratory is situated on the west side of the Bay, three hundred metres from the reef crest. Shallow back-reef and lagoon environments are directly accessible by snorkelling or in small boats. Other shallow-water hard and soft bottom habitats occur in the neighbourhood, and a variety of rocky, sandy, muddy, estuarine and lagoonal coastal environments are within driving distance of the Laboratory.
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Welcome

Are you interested in visiting the Lab? Our Facilities include both wet and dry labs, a teaching area with audiovisual equipment, and both wired and wireless Internet access. Groups as well as individuals are welcome.

There are several types of accommodation to choose from based on cost and occupancy.

Boats and dive gear are also available for rental.

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