Virgin Islands Marine Advisory Service (VIMAS)

Logo for the Virgin Islands Marine Advisory Service VIMAS GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

 

Welcome to the Virgin Islands Marine Advisory Service!

As an extension to the University of Puerto Rico's Sea Grant College Program, the Virgin Islands Marine Advisory Service (VIMAS) works to promote the education and awareness of our natural resources in the Caribbean. Operating within the University of the Virgin Island's (UVI) Center for Marine and Environmental Studies (CMES), our team is able to leverage partnerships and collaborations with researchers at UVI and the local Virgin Islands government to accomplish our goals. From annual beach cleanups, marine science summer programs for youth, or the recycling of glass beverage bottles, we use innovative outreach and research tools to tackle locally relevant issues within our Virgin Islands workforce and economy. 
Howard Forbes Jr. - Virgin Islands Marine Advisory Service Director
Thank you for visiting us today! Be sure to check out our on-going activities below to see how you can get involved in our many environmental-focused programs and initiatives.
Howard Forbes Jr. - Virgin Islands Marine Advisory Service Director

               

                                     

Logo for the JOE Summer Program

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR THE 2026 JUNIOR OCEAN EXPLORERS SUMMER PROGRAM

Join us for a summer of water safety, swimming, and marine science!
Open to youth ages 7-11. 

Click the button below to learn more about this summer program and register. 

REGISTER

 

VIMAS PROGRAMS

 
  • Junior Ocean Explorers (Grades 3-6): A two week marine science summer program that teaches youth the fundamentals of swimming, snorkeling, and Caribbean plant and animal identification. 
  • Youth Ocean Explorers (Grades 7-12): A four week marine science summer program that refines students' swimming and snorkeling skills while teaching them about ecology, highlighting STEM career pathways, providing  scuba diving training / certification and much more. 
  • Coastweeks: Beach cleanup opportunities where we document and remove coastal trash. Students can earn community service hours for their involvement in these efforts. 
  • USVI Glass Recovery Program: This pilot program recycles glass beverage bottles by pulverizing them back into sand which can be used for a multitude of applications such as filling sandbags.
  • Mangrove Restoration Project: Through this effort, we grow and plant red mangroves to help restore areas that once had mangroves.
  • Water Heroes Program: This 3-day module uses hands on lessons to teach students about water conservation, water quality testing, and water filtration.  
  • Environmental Learning Outside the Classroom: Our team of environmental educators can host engaging field trips for school groups to teach them about our vital  ecosystems, both on land and underwater.   
  • Professional Development Opportunities: Educators of grades 6-12 are invited to join a NOAA Ocean Exploration full-day, in-person professional development workshop focusing on seafloor mapping. Spaces are limited and selected educators will receive a $100 stipend for their participation.

 

 
JOE2025 Carousel
Students enrolled in our Junior Ocean Explorers Summer Programs are introduced to the world of marine and environmental science whilst building their swimming proficiency and comfortability in the water. Using a combinatation of engaging classroom presentations and interactive hands-on activities derived from the Red Cross's Learn to Swim Program, students learn about the importance of our oceans and the fundamentals of water safety. From animal and plant identification to understanding how our actions on land affect the ocean, this program is ideal for youth with a passion for STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Arts Mathematics) and the ocean.
YOE students diving
Building upon the Junior Ocean Explorers, the Youth Ocean Explorers Summer Program prepares students for exploring the ocean and career pathways within this exciting field. During YOE, students receive 2 weeks of engaging lessons that deepens their understanding of ecological processes that occur both on land and at sea. This is then followed by 1 week of SCUBA instruction at a local dive shop with the end goal to earn their Open Water / Adavcned Open Water certification. Following completion of YOE, SCUBA certified students and their parents can continue honing their diving proficiency by taking advantage of our Refresher Fun Dives which offer 2-tank dives at no cost, starting in February and continuing through May. 
Students cleaning a beach
On the third Saturday in September annually, our team coordinates the International Coastal Cleanup, also known locally as Coastweeks. Volunteers participate in beach cleanups across the territory to document and remove coastal debris. Students can earn community service hours for their involvement and the collected data helps to support legislation and future funding opportunities that can prevent marine debris at its source. 
Mangrove Restoration
Our team collects red mangrove seedlings which are reared in sea water tables at the University of the Virgin Islands. Once these seedlings have grown to a specified height, they can be replanted to areas that previously had mangroves, but may have lost them either due to human or natural causes. Red magroves in particular, when mature, can provide shelter for various marine animals while they are still young, giving them an opportunity to reach reproductive age. Mangroves are one of many coastal ecosystems that help to support biodiversity.  
These activities are permitted through the Department of Planning and Natural Resources, permits DWF20002 and DFW25004U.
Students testing water quality
With funding through the Water Resources Research Institute (WRRI), our team developed a three day module for educators and students that focuses on the topics of water conservation, water quality testing, and water filtration. Students are able to utilize virtual reality to explore regions of our planet where water scarcity is an everday challenge as well as collect a water sample from home to analyze (pH and presence / absence of coliform bacteria). This use of hands-on activities help to connect students better to the content being taught and makes it more relatable.

CONTACT US!

Our team is happy to assist you!

 

Phone  Email Social Media 
340-693-1674 howard.forbes@uvi.edu

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Business Hours Monday - Friday (8:30 AM - 4:30 PM)

 
Offices St. Thomas - UVI's Center for Marine and Environmental Studies

St. Croix - Albert A Sheen Campus