Havana, Dec. – The Government of Cuba has recently made a groundbreaking decision for the conservation of the coral reefs of the archipelago, an essential ecosystem due to the goods and services it provides.
Among these are the protection of the coasts against the impact of the sea—especially during extreme events—the support of high biodiversity that includes species of commercial value, and the generation of sand for the formation and maintenance of Cuban beaches.
Globally, coral reefs face accelerated degradation due to climate change and other environmental pressures. Cuba is not exempt from this reality, despite national efforts made through the creation of marine protected areas, investigative work by various scientific institutions, and the involvement of coastal communities in their protection, promoting a more sustainable relationship with the sea.
A key milestone in this process was the "Bojeo a Cuba" conducted in the summer of 2023, a scientific expedition involving national and foreign institutions.
This study allowed, for the first time and with a unified methodology, an integral and homogeneous assessment of the state of the reefs throughout the national territory. The results not only provided crucial scientific data but also raised social awareness about the fragility and value of this ecosystem, laying the foundation for the development of a roadmap for its conservation.
This document, which will be submitted for approval to the Council of Ministers, proposes a framework for a more responsible relationship with this habitat, informed decision-making, and more effective management that actively involves local communities.
In the development of this strategy, the leadership of Dr. Patricia González Díaz, researcher at the Marine Research Center, has been fundamental, as well as the years of dedication by numerous scientists and conservationists.
This effort aligns with the State Plan to Address Climate Change (Task Life), although it is acknowledged that progress has not reached the desired speed.
The upcoming presentation of the roadmap before the Council of Ministers materializes a historic vision: the call made decades ago by Commander in Chief Fidel Castro for Cuba “not to turn its back on the sea.” In forthcoming publications, more details will be provided on the content and implications of this plan for the conservation of Cuban coral reefs.
(Taken from Cubadebate)
