CHAPTER 10 • Developing and Strategy for an ICZM in Cuba: Bases and Principles
10.2.2.1
Coral Reefs
197
Our reefs form ridges, promontories, bars and rocky terraces alternating with sand channels. Sessile organisms are mostly represented by rocky corals, sponges, gorgons, ascidians and algae, and the mobile organisms are a rich fauna of fishes and invertebrates.
Cuban reefs extend along almost all the border of the platform and in some places
inside it. About 54% of this border is separated from the Island by wide and shallow
marine expansions and by groups of cays that limit human influence on nearby reefs.
Although large expanses of the coast are very little urbanized or industrialized, historically they have been deforested, something that contributes to the drainage of sediments to the sea. Because of this, sedimentation rather than pollution seems to be one
of the rhore important things that affect the reefs in Cuba.
Other things that affect our reefs are caused by organic pollution or fertilizers, (which
stimulate the growth of algae and plankton causing in turn a decline on the coral
through competition); turbidity; pollution with toxic waste (pesticides, herbicides,
heavy metals, hydrocarbons); thermal pollution caused by cooling systems from thermoelectric plants; mechanical damage caused by anchors from boats in touristic zones;
nonregulated extraction of rock corals; hurricanes; sediments caused by constructions,
explosions, waste dumping and abandoned fishing nets and traps.
10.2.2.2
Sea Pastures
Sea pastures, known in Cuba as "ceibadales" are silted bottoms where see weeds (phanerogams) and algae grow. The predominant species in Cuba is Thalassia testudinum.
The sea pastures are the most extended biotope in our platform, covering more than
50% of our sea bottoms.
These ecosystems have considerable tolerance and elasticity to many stress factors,
but they have been widely eradicated in different zones in Cuba through the actions of
hurricanes (dragging large amounts of sediments) and partial closure of channels;
pollution from sugar miils waste and a torula factory, which make the bottoms muddier; building dams and highways over the sea, causing an increase in salinity, excessive turbidity caused by eutrification and res us pensioning of the sediments; strong
erosion suffered by mud coasts on the North due to the disappearance of the protective red mangrove barrier; turbidity caused by intense shrimp fisheries in some zones;
organic pollution or through nutrient salts and dragging bottoms.
10.2.2.3
Sandy Areas and Beaches
The coast line of Cuba is 5746 km long, with more than 520 km of beaches of a very high
quality and aesthetic beauty, which are its main touristic resource. Many beaches have been
affected by building on the dune and bad management, as well as a relative rise on the sea
level, excessive extraction of sand, pollution, bottom dragging, reduction of ocean waves
or currents due to constructions, which causes an increase in mud content, destruction of
plant life on the dune and inadequate introduction of incorrect vegetation and net dragging.
10.2.2.1
Coral Reefs
197
Our reefs form ridges, promontories, bars and rocky terraces alternating with sand channels. Sessile organisms are mostly represented by rocky corals, sponges, gorgons, ascidians and algae, and the mobile organisms are a rich fauna of fishes and invertebrates.
Cuban reefs extend along almost all the border of the platform and in some places
inside it. About 54% of this border is separated from the Island by wide and shallow
marine expansions and by groups of cays that limit human influence on nearby reefs.
Although large expanses of the coast are very little urbanized or industrialized, historically they have been deforested, something that contributes to the drainage of sediments to the sea. Because of this, sedimentation rather than pollution seems to be one
of the rhore important things that affect the reefs in Cuba.
Other things that affect our reefs are caused by organic pollution or fertilizers, (which
stimulate the growth of algae and plankton causing in turn a decline on the coral
through competition); turbidity; pollution with toxic waste (pesticides, herbicides,
heavy metals, hydrocarbons); thermal pollution caused by cooling systems from thermoelectric plants; mechanical damage caused by anchors from boats in touristic zones;
nonregulated extraction of rock corals; hurricanes; sediments caused by constructions,
explosions, waste dumping and abandoned fishing nets and traps.
10.2.2.2
Sea Pastures
Sea pastures, known in Cuba as "ceibadales" are silted bottoms where see weeds (phanerogams) and algae grow. The predominant species in Cuba is Thalassia testudinum.
The sea pastures are the most extended biotope in our platform, covering more than
50% of our sea bottoms.
These ecosystems have considerable tolerance and elasticity to many stress factors,
but they have been widely eradicated in different zones in Cuba through the actions of
hurricanes (dragging large amounts of sediments) and partial closure of channels;
pollution from sugar miils waste and a torula factory, which make the bottoms muddier; building dams and highways over the sea, causing an increase in salinity, excessive turbidity caused by eutrification and res us pensioning of the sediments; strong
erosion suffered by mud coasts on the North due to the disappearance of the protective red mangrove barrier; turbidity caused by intense shrimp fisheries in some zones;
organic pollution or through nutrient salts and dragging bottoms.
10.2.2.3
Sandy Areas and Beaches
The coast line of Cuba is 5746 km long, with more than 520 km of beaches of a very high
quality and aesthetic beauty, which are its main touristic resource. Many beaches have been
affected by building on the dune and bad management, as well as a relative rise on the sea
level, excessive extraction of sand, pollution, bottom dragging, reduction of ocean waves
or currents due to constructions, which causes an increase in mud content, destruction of
plant life on the dune and inadequate introduction of incorrect vegetation and net dragging.