(EN) Strengthening the resilience of coastal and marine ecosystems in the pilot sites of the Guanahacabibes Peninsula and Santa Lucía Beach

The project “Resilience of Coastal and Marine Ecosystems in the Pilot Sites of the Guanahacabibes Peninsula and Santa Lucía Beach” (Blue Resilience) was presented this Friday at Quinta de los Molinos.

According to Augusto Martínez Zorrilla, head of the Coordination Department of the National System of Protected Areas (SNAP) and the Information System, this is a continuation of the “Adapt’Action” study, conducted in 2021, which investigated adaptation to climate change in two marine and coastal areas of Cuba.

The specialist from the National Center for Protected Areas (CNAP) also noted that these are the same locations where Blue Resilience will now be implemented, as “they are key territories at the national level, due to the richness of their ecosystems and their vulnerability to coastal risks and climate change.”

Similarly, he mentioned that the program is organized into two components, each focused on a project site, and broken down into four subtopics (common to both areas): ecosystem protection and management, coastal risks, sustainable blue tourism, and training and awareness-raising.

“A third aspect will allow us to establish links between the sites and share the results obtained at the national and international levels,” Martínez Zorrilla stated.

The head of the SNAP Coordination Department pointed out that the idea is to implement adaptation solutions to protect and restore ecosystems, strengthen the protection of property and people against coastal risks increased by climate change, and develop sustainable community-based blue tourism in the La Boca community, in the case of Santa Lucía Beach, in Camagüey, and in La Bajada and María la Gorda in Guanahacabibes, in Pinar del Río, among other actions.

For Laurent Burin des Roziers, French ambassador to Cuba, the country with which the main collaboration is established to carry out Blue Resilience, “thanks to the project we will contribute to the resilience of these two marine and coastal ecosystems, without forgetting the women and men who live in these territories.

“This objective of social inclusion in environmental protection policies is shared by the strategy of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (CITMA) and the natural parks in France.

“Another essential element of this program is the preservation of the oceans, whose challenges are immense and require commitment, financial resources, and human capital.

“Our two countries share common goals and ambitious policies that translate into close cooperation. In this regard, I would like to thank CITMA for its willingness to develop the bilateral relationship on such important issues as actions to address climate change, the preservation of biodiversity, and the protection of marine and terrestrial areas.

“I would also like to express my gratitude for the work of the local authorities and the involvement of the communities in these actions.”

Like a Mirror

Dr. Tania Merino Gómez, Vice President of the IRIS Climate Foundation, also presented the progress of the national project "Strengthening Resilience in Priority Ecosystems of the Guanahacabibes Peninsula and Santa Lucía Beach," a program related to Blue Resilience.

Associated with a sectoral science, technology, and innovation program, this project has focused on "guaranteeing the foundation for the launch of the international cooperation project," stated Dr. Merino, the project leader.

One of the actions taken since its inception in February of this year was to establish a baseline of the main hazards to which the ecosystems in both intervention areas are subjected, and the level of exposure to these hazards, especially those associated with climate change.

"The core of the applied methodology was the analysis of documents and the results of research we had on hand, such as hazard, vulnerability, and risk studies for the area."

Forests, mangroves, coral reefs, seagrass beds, and sandy beaches are among the seven ecosystems selected for proposing adaptation measures.

In this regard, Dr. Tania Merino explained that the study found the use of inappropriate technologies, impacts from extreme hydrometeorological events and sargassum influxes, a predominance of macroalgae, low fish abundance and limited coral cover, and the presence of exotic species, among other issues.

Referring to the two projects (national and international), Dr. Patricia González, from the Marine Research Center at the University of Havana, stated that “two aspects are worth highlighting: the selected intervention areas. The first, Guanahacabibes, is probably one of the most researched marine protected areas. Systematically studying this area is important for the island and the Caribbean region.

“Cuba is the largest exporter and importer of coral larvae, and many lobster and commercial fish larvae also originate from this Pinar del Río territory, reaching as far as North Carolina in the United States.

“In other words, there is a process of genetic, ecological, and oceanographic connectivity, demonstrated by science, which gives this site a very special value.”

Speaking of Santa Lucía Beach, she indicated that it maintains healthy coral species, despite last year being the hottest on record, with a significant impact on the reefs.

“The archipelago is surrounded by coral reefs (98 percent), and some of the iconic Caribbean reef species have been lost by more than 90 percent due to this.

“However, one of them happens to be in Saint Lucia in very good health. So, the fact that there is a completely healthy remnant population here makes it very valuable.

“And the third thing I wanted to highlight is the work with local communities, especially to provide them with socioeconomic alternatives based on sustainability and their own values.”