**9. Acknowledgements**

The authors are grateful to the Port Royal Marine Lab, the Center for Marine Sciences, the Japan International Corporation Agency and the Mona Geoinformatics Institute for providing funding, technical support and equipment to carry out this study. The Environmental Foundation of Jamaica in partnership with the Life Sciences Department, University of the West Indies, was significant in providing funding for training in hydrodynamic modelling. We acknowledge Christopher Burgess for guidance in the oceanographic statistics and modelling. Acknowledgement also goes to the dedication of Sean Townsend and the many student volunteers from the Department of Life Sciences, University of the West Indies, in assisting with the field work.
