The ecologist Maximum Cerame Vivasfounder and first director of the Department of Marine Sciences at the Mayagüez University Campus of the University of Puerto Ricodied yesterday, Wednesday, due to complications from his chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), his daughter, Victoria Cerame, confirmed this Thursday.
Cerame Vivas was 88 years old and died at home, in Piedras Riverin the early hours of the morning.
“He died due to respiratory problems…complications related to his COPD led to his death,” the daughter told The new day.
“Papi was the creator of the RUM Department of Marine Sciences… a Puerto Rican who dedicated his life to ecology and protecting the environment”he added.
Cerame reported that his father's remains will be cremated and that, at the moment, there are no details of funeral arrangements. Other children of Cerame Vivas are expected to travel to Puerto Rico from the United States.
On the other hand, the Association of Graduate Students of the Residential Center for Educational Opportunities of Mayagüez (CROEM ALUMNI) regretted the death of Cerame Vivas, who was an advisor to the institution. As recently as March, Cerame Vivas had been honored at the 56th anniversary recognition ceremony of CROEMin it Capitolwhere he was represented by his daughter.
“Máximo Cerame Vivas was the first director of the Department of Marine Sciences of the Mayagüez University Campus and, From his position, he helped thousands of students from public and private schools to get involved and interested in everything related to the marine world.”said Wilson Nazarioexecutive director of CROEM ALUMNI, in a statement.
In 2018, The new day noted that Cerame Vivas was key in managing the emergency caused by the grounding of the Ocean Eagle ship in the San Juan Bayin 1968. Then, the Petroleum Emergency Office, created because of the accident, recruited the ecologist, who headed the RUM Department of Marine Sciences.
Cerame Vivas established a mobile laboratory on the shores of Condado Lagoon to analyze the toxicity of cleaning materials and evaluate their impact on the ecosystem. “Now, the 'toys' are more expensive, but the technology is the same”Cerame Vivas said in that interview, in which he highlighted that the handling of the stranding laid the foundations for protocols to be established worldwide on how to deal with this type of emergency.