Western Caribbean
25 km
Within the southeastern province of Guantanamo
there is a large US Naval Base, covering some 1 14 square
kilometers along the sheltered coast of Guantanamo Bay.
Although not under US sovereignty, the lease of the base
area is held until the US government agrees to relinquish
it. The area includes considerable military developments
and associated recreational facilities, and much of the bay
area has been dredged and degraded. Despite this, there
are some coral communities, and recreational diving is
practiced by personnel. The beach and waters of Cuzco
Beach have been declared a preserve, dredging is
prohibited and visitor numbers restricted.
Protected areas with coral reefs
Designation
Dreviation
lUCN cat.
Size ikmzi
Year
Cuba
Cienaga de Zapata
National Park
NP
Punta Frances -
Punta Pederales
Parque Nacional Marino
PNM
na
\lk.2U
Cayo Coco/Cayo GuiUermo
Touristic Natural Area
TNA
V
320.00
1986
Cayo Romano
National Park
NP
V
920.00
1986
Cayo Sablnal
Touristic Natural Area
TNA
V
335.00
na
Cayos de Ana Maria
Wildlife Refuge
WRef
IV
69.00
na
na
1985
Subarchipielago de Jardines
de la Reina
Integrated Management Area
IMA
V
305.80
na
Subarchipielago de los Canarreos
Integrated Management Area
IMA
V
331.10
na
Subarchipielago de Sabana -
Camaguey
Integrated Management Area
IMA
V
1 789.08
na
Sur Isla de la Juventud
National Park
NP
V
800.00
1992
BUENAVISTA
UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
3 135.00
2000
Cienaga de Zapata
UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
6 253.54
2000
CUCHILLAS DEL TOA
UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
1 275.00
1987
Desembarco del Granma
National Park
World Heritage Site
418.63
1999
Peninsula de Guanahacabibes
UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
1 015.00
1987
Left: Golfo de Guacanayabo in southeast Cuba. Reef development in this shallow water has formed complex reticulated
structures INM23-729-780, 19971. Right: Schoolmasters Lutjanus apodus. These snappers are more regularly observed on
remote reefs which are less heavily fished.