Coral Reefs of Cuba
The perimeter of Cuba is flourishing with coral reefs making it one of the largest in the world. Coral reefs are generally tremendously fragile and prone to environmental hazards. They provide food and home to marine life and are thus home to great biodiversity. Many coral reefs of the world are facing extinction and coral bleaching. Coral bleaching is caused by the rising temperatures of the oceans and even a 2°C rise in the oceans can white out corals.
However, Cuba’s coral reefs are among the healthiest of the world; some species of fish and coral that are highly endangered elsewhere are found thriving in its reefs. This is because they are separated from the many factors that are destroying some of the world’s coral reefs such as fishing, chemical run-off, and extensive tourism. As with other coral reefs of the world, Cuban coral reefs have begun to experience coral bleaching due to the increase in temperature of the world’s oceans. However, its health and low exposure to any over crucial endangerments has helped them to withstand these temperatures and then rejuvenate itself.
The coral reefs of Cuba are also able to thrive and flourish due in part to the power of the Cuban government. This ecosystem is heavily protected with areas designated as marine protected areas (MPA) and fisheries management. Commercial fishing and development has been off limits to these coral reefs in order to limit threats to these reefs. However, tourists are still capable of experiencing these pristine coral reefs, though very limited. Only a limited number of fly fishermen are permitted to fish in these coral reefs each year and anything they catch must then be released.
One of Cuba’s most famous coral reefs to explore is “The Gardens of the Queen”, also known as Jardines de la Reina. The name came after Christopher Columbus fell upon the island of Cuba and its reefs and named it after Queen Isabella. This coral reef is said to be like a living time capsule where the species and ecosystem and abundant and prospering. The sign of a healthy reef can be observed by the presence of large predatory fish and sharks and that is what you will see in Cuba’s coral reefs. Some of the corals living in the reefs itself date back 4,000 years. Larger groupers that have been seen dying out are seen growing up to 200-400 pounds.
Many people from around the world come to Cuba to scuba dive into its coral reefs in order to experience the beautiful ecosystem that has been kept intact where others are being to suffer from environmental factors and human development. These coral reefs seem to be kept in a time machine where the corals are healthy and the marine life is plenty. Visitors will be able to swim alongside large fish and sharks where population is eight times that of the Caribbean.
Keeping up their methods of maintaining and protecting these coral reefs is more costly in the long-run than they can afford. Tourism is still not bringing in enough revenue to maintain these costs, especially when tourism must be limited in order to keep these reefs flourishing. This has led to plans to increase recreational activities such as boating, fishing, and diving but in a way that still upholds and protects this fragile marine ecosystem.
However, Cuba’s coral reefs are among the healthiest of the world; some species of fish and coral that are highly endangered elsewhere are found thriving in its reefs. This is because they are separated from the many factors that are destroying some of the world’s coral reefs such as fishing, chemical run-off, and extensive tourism. As with other coral reefs of the world, Cuban coral reefs have begun to experience coral bleaching due to the increase in temperature of the world’s oceans. However, its health and low exposure to any over crucial endangerments has helped them to withstand these temperatures and then rejuvenate itself.
The coral reefs of Cuba are also able to thrive and flourish due in part to the power of the Cuban government. This ecosystem is heavily protected with areas designated as marine protected areas (MPA) and fisheries management. Commercial fishing and development has been off limits to these coral reefs in order to limit threats to these reefs. However, tourists are still capable of experiencing these pristine coral reefs, though very limited. Only a limited number of fly fishermen are permitted to fish in these coral reefs each year and anything they catch must then be released.
One of Cuba’s most famous coral reefs to explore is “The Gardens of the Queen”, also known as Jardines de la Reina. The name came after Christopher Columbus fell upon the island of Cuba and its reefs and named it after Queen Isabella. This coral reef is said to be like a living time capsule where the species and ecosystem and abundant and prospering. The sign of a healthy reef can be observed by the presence of large predatory fish and sharks and that is what you will see in Cuba’s coral reefs. Some of the corals living in the reefs itself date back 4,000 years. Larger groupers that have been seen dying out are seen growing up to 200-400 pounds.
Many people from around the world come to Cuba to scuba dive into its coral reefs in order to experience the beautiful ecosystem that has been kept intact where others are being to suffer from environmental factors and human development. These coral reefs seem to be kept in a time machine where the corals are healthy and the marine life is plenty. Visitors will be able to swim alongside large fish and sharks where population is eight times that of the Caribbean.
Keeping up their methods of maintaining and protecting these coral reefs is more costly in the long-run than they can afford. Tourism is still not bringing in enough revenue to maintain these costs, especially when tourism must be limited in order to keep these reefs flourishing. This has led to plans to increase recreational activities such as boating, fishing, and diving but in a way that still upholds and protects this fragile marine ecosystem.
While this video below focuses on Southern parts of Cuba (not the Western part), it provides a useful account on the richness of Cuban marine life.
Guanahacabibes Peninsula- Western Cuba
The Guanahacabibes
The Guanahacabibes National Park is one of the largest reserves in Cuba. The impressive extent and diversity of the coral reefs within the surrounding waters is the main attraction in this 398.26 km2 (153.77 sq mi) National Park, which serves as a national hub for ecotourism. The area is inhabited by 172 species of birds belonging to 42 families, 11 of which are endemic and 84 are migratory. The area is also notable for its turtle population; experts suspect that 4 of the 7 species of marine turtles living on the planet have survived in the Guanahacabibes Peninsula. The northern coast of the National Park is lined by the many islets and cays that make up the Colorados Archipelago.
Colorados Archipelago
The Colorados Archipelago is a conglomerate of islands and cays on the northwestern coast of Cuba within the Guanahacabibes Peninsula. It is approximately 100 kilometers long. The ocean and islands that surround this archipelago serve the local and national community largely through their fishing value; the waters are teeming with lobster, tuna, oysters, and red snapper. The beautiful cays, white sandy beaches, and waters perfect for snorkeling complement the coral reefs of thearea and help attract tourists year round.
Coral reefs
The main island of Cuba, the Isle of Youth and thousands of surrounding cays are distributed over 110,860 km2. Fringing and barrier reefs border more than 98% of Cuba’s 3200 km shelf margin, although more than 50% are separated from the mainland by cays or by broad, shallow lagoons with many patch reefs. This separation has provided the outer reefs with protection from most sources of land degradation, except for fishing and tourist diving. Reef crests in Western Cuba are extremely rich and abundant at the edge of the Golfo de Guanahacabibes. Inshore patch reefs are dispersed along this spacious and open bay. There are 2 barrier reefs in Cuba and one of them is properly located in the west in the Colorados Archipelago.
Western Cuba Coral Reef Threats (in no particular order)
1. Sedimentation and pollution –Thermal, chemical, and organic pollution all put the livelihood of coral reefs at stake. Sedimentation –common in the reefs around western Cuba- can have devastating effects on the availability of the nutrients that the coral reefs need to survive.
2. Hurricanes- Hurricanes are common on the western coast; these hurricanes can damage the corals, further increase the sedimentation levels, and make ecotourism prospects more costly for Cuba and less attractive to tourists.
3. Climate Change and Sea level rise –The sea level is steadily rising around the Guanahacabibes peninsula at an estimated rate of about 0.25 centimeters per year. The temperature of the water is also going up by an average of 0.13 degrees Celsius per decade, which is increasing the threat of coral bleaching.
4. Ecotourism –ecotourism in Western Cuba is still relatively poorly developed (despite the presence of the Guanahacabibes National Park); regulations for protecting the coral reefs are still leniently enforced in most areas. Resorts and tourist actions still bring significant degradation to the corals.
5. Overfishing –overfishing of even one type of fish can throw off the ecological balance of coral reefs as a whole. Also, the
economic effects of low catches can have adverse consequences for the success of any ecotourism resorts in the area.
The Guanahacabibes National Park is one of the largest reserves in Cuba. The impressive extent and diversity of the coral reefs within the surrounding waters is the main attraction in this 398.26 km2 (153.77 sq mi) National Park, which serves as a national hub for ecotourism. The area is inhabited by 172 species of birds belonging to 42 families, 11 of which are endemic and 84 are migratory. The area is also notable for its turtle population; experts suspect that 4 of the 7 species of marine turtles living on the planet have survived in the Guanahacabibes Peninsula. The northern coast of the National Park is lined by the many islets and cays that make up the Colorados Archipelago.
Colorados Archipelago
The Colorados Archipelago is a conglomerate of islands and cays on the northwestern coast of Cuba within the Guanahacabibes Peninsula. It is approximately 100 kilometers long. The ocean and islands that surround this archipelago serve the local and national community largely through their fishing value; the waters are teeming with lobster, tuna, oysters, and red snapper. The beautiful cays, white sandy beaches, and waters perfect for snorkeling complement the coral reefs of thearea and help attract tourists year round.
Coral reefs
The main island of Cuba, the Isle of Youth and thousands of surrounding cays are distributed over 110,860 km2. Fringing and barrier reefs border more than 98% of Cuba’s 3200 km shelf margin, although more than 50% are separated from the mainland by cays or by broad, shallow lagoons with many patch reefs. This separation has provided the outer reefs with protection from most sources of land degradation, except for fishing and tourist diving. Reef crests in Western Cuba are extremely rich and abundant at the edge of the Golfo de Guanahacabibes. Inshore patch reefs are dispersed along this spacious and open bay. There are 2 barrier reefs in Cuba and one of them is properly located in the west in the Colorados Archipelago.
Western Cuba Coral Reef Threats (in no particular order)
1. Sedimentation and pollution –Thermal, chemical, and organic pollution all put the livelihood of coral reefs at stake. Sedimentation –common in the reefs around western Cuba- can have devastating effects on the availability of the nutrients that the coral reefs need to survive.
2. Hurricanes- Hurricanes are common on the western coast; these hurricanes can damage the corals, further increase the sedimentation levels, and make ecotourism prospects more costly for Cuba and less attractive to tourists.
3. Climate Change and Sea level rise –The sea level is steadily rising around the Guanahacabibes peninsula at an estimated rate of about 0.25 centimeters per year. The temperature of the water is also going up by an average of 0.13 degrees Celsius per decade, which is increasing the threat of coral bleaching.
4. Ecotourism –ecotourism in Western Cuba is still relatively poorly developed (despite the presence of the Guanahacabibes National Park); regulations for protecting the coral reefs are still leniently enforced in most areas. Resorts and tourist actions still bring significant degradation to the corals.
5. Overfishing –overfishing of even one type of fish can throw off the ecological balance of coral reefs as a whole. Also, the
economic effects of low catches can have adverse consequences for the success of any ecotourism resorts in the area.