Promoting stakeholders participation on marine resource management, was the theme for the Institute of Marine Affairs(IMA) third Community Research Symposium, which was held on September 20th 2017 at the BPTT Mayaro Resource Centre, in Mayaro. Attendees included Chairman and members of the Mayaro-Rio Claro Regional Corporation, students from the Mayaro Secondary School, representatives from fisherfolk organisations and community groups, non-governmental organisations and government agencies. The main objective of hosting this type of symposium was to provide pertinent scientific information on the state of the coastal environment in the southeast peninsula, clarify misinformation and share lessons and practical solutions for tackling complex coastal issues.