Coral Reef Conservation in Cuba 2004

Expedition Information

  • Dates: June 19 - August 10 2004
  • Year: 2004
  • Country: Cuba
  • Continent: South America
  • Personnel: Hari Balasubramanian* (Expedition Co-leader, DSO, Treasurer: St Catherine’s; 2003), Robert Foster (Expedition Co-leader, Translator: St Edmund Hall, 2003), Stefan Smith (Technical Officer, Equipment Manager: University, 2002), Joy Miller (Socio-economic Researcher: Harris Manchester, 2003), Jez Hogan (Medical Officer: University, 2003)
  • Personnel (Honorary): Kylie Ingram (Documentary film maker, Australian Documentaries, Australia).
  • Personnel (Non-Oxford): Science: Leopoldo Viña Davila (Polo), Jose L Tamayo, Juan J Lake, Abdiel Jovier, Rolando Teruel, Yuself Cala, Mayelin Silot-Leyva, Iliana Solorzano Rodriguez. Support: Maria, Tatika, Armando (Leal), Armandito, George.

Reefscape’s 2004 project (The Oxford-Cuban Collaborative Coral Reef Conservation Project) set out to research the unexplored patch reef habitat, and impacts to this system by adjacent communities, in Southeastern Cuba. Primarily, we aimed to train local trainers in establishing and continuing a longterm monitoring effort in the region. Additionally, Reefscape endeavoured to collect base-line data, and provide novel contributions to the scientific community.

We used a three-pronged approach ecology, socio-economics, and local apacity building — to establish a marine conservation framework for the region. Rapid ecological and socio-economic monitoring methods were adapted from established sources. These methods included comprehensive ecological surveys as well as individual and group socioeconomic interviews. Local capacity building was achieved through a training of trainers programme, which included in-depth presentations, computer aids, and several other educational tools.

The study found live coral cover to be consistent with other Caribbean sites, but a paucity of large predatory fish. The socio-economic interview indicated an increase in fishing pressure and an improvement in gear after the fall of the Soviet Union (1991), which likely contributed to this decline.

The primary aim of training Cuban coral reef monitors was achieved with great success. Secondary aims of establishing baseline data, and providing novel scientific contributions were also achieved, and resulted in two M.Sc. theses and several scientific journal submissions.