Mark Vermeij

'The fact that coral reefs are degrading in most places in the world is no longer interesting. We know this and now is the time to focus on studying those processes that will contribute to reef recovery.

Coral larvae have the potential to become the reefs of the future, but we have only recently started to appreciate the many factors that are important during the earliest life stages of a coral.

Already we see that coral larvae are not the helpless, floating blobs of fat we once thought they were. They can hear, taste, smell, feel and see and thus possess a  large array of characteristics that, when better understood, could help reef restoration efforts.'

Dr. Mark Vermeij obtained a PhD on the evolutionary ecology and population dynamics of the Carribean coral Madracis from the University of Amsterdam. Upon completion of his PhD, he worked in the United States of America, amongst others as researcher of the University of Miami Rosenstiel School for Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (RSMAS) and the University of Hawaï.

One of the present focal points of his research is the success of establishment of young corals, which plays a crucial role in determining the potential of coral ecosystems to recuperate from disruption. Since March 2009, Mark Vermeij accepted a part-time position as researcher and professor of IBED in addition to his position of Scientific Director of CARMABI.

At CARMABI, Mark Vermeij's research focuses on integrated approaches to understand how environmental settings  determine the recruitment success of settling coral planulae, including those of A. palmata. Focus lies on the importance of microbes and overall coral reef health in driving the earliest life stages of dominant reef building species in the Caribbean.

Dr. Mark Vermeij works together with SECORE to restore endangered coral species in Curacao.

Dr. Mark. Vermeij
Coral Reef Ecologist
CARMABI Foundation
Piscaderabaai z/n
Willemstad, Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles