After a major readjustment of the national plans regarding science and technology, was started an improvement of the scientific activity whereas the achieved experience as well as the new trends on Aquariums management and marine mammals were taken into account.

The development of the different research tasks takes place according to the thematic and the specialized service of the institution, increasing so their quality as well as know-how about the natural ecosystems that form part of it.  In this regards the institution develops five main research projects:

1. Population study of two species of sea horse in different zones from Cuba.

Time period: 2007 – 2009
Project manager: Lourdes Pastor Gutiérrez
E-mail: lourdesp@acuarionacional.cu

GOALS

To value the present state, of the natural populations of the species, Hippocampus reidi and Hippocampus erectus in different zones from the North coast.

To determine the abundance, size of the group, sexual proportion and morfométricos characters.

To evaluate the effectiveness, of a type of artificial mark, in different units from H.reidi and H. erectus, in conditions of laboratory. To mark the units.

To analyze the diversity and genetic structure in natural populations. Exploratory study to consider the extraction of these species of means by incidental capture.

2. Preliminary study of the invading populations of the lionfish (Teleostei: Scorpaenidae: Pterois sp.) in Cuban waters.

Time period: 2009-2012
Project manager: Pedro Pablo Chevalier Monteagudo
E-mail:pedroc@acuarionacional.cu

GOALS

To determine the ecological impact of the lionfish on biotopes.

To create an observation network.

To develop an educational program.

3. Abundance and distribution of the bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus in Cuban waters. 

Period of time: 2002 - 2010
Project Manager: Nirka López Lion
e-mail: nirkal@acuarionacional.cu 

GOALS

• Definition of the distribution patterns referred to the specie Tursiops truncatus in the area on study. 

• Morphometric characterization of specie in the area of study. 

• Calculation of the population density and the PBR of the corresponding area. 

• Determination of the species´ population structure in the area.

• Determination of the social structure of the population in the area.

• Further assessment of the populations´ health by introducing mycrobiological analysis and general corporal conditions.

• Establishment of a serum bank with serum extracted from free range animals.

• Assessment of chemical (heavy metals), genotoxic (primary damage of the DNA, induction of mutations) and both hematologic and hemochemical parameters in blood samples.

Updated january 4, 2010