200
T.B. Hernandez
land a considerable amount of water, sediments and organic matter, which in part determines their biological productivity. In fact, lagoons and estuaries are the marine
ecosystems with the highest fisheries productivity and are the habitat with the highest
potential to develop marine culture. They harbor species with a high ecological value,
like the manatee, an endangered species.
They are affected by pollution through dumping from agroindustries (mainly the
sugar industry), agriculture (pesticides, herbicides, etc.), sewage, river damming, reduction of water exchange with the platform due to constructions in the littoral zone,
mangrove deforestation and illegal fishing.
10.2.2.7
Wetlands
In our country, wetlands need a special mention as coastal systems. Because of being
an island, Cuba has important wetlands which are prioritized sites for preserving biological diversity and the stable functioning of important ecosystems, both for their
economic production as well as for its natural values.
Because of their natural values, there are three particularly important wetlands in Cuba:
the Zapata Swamp, the mouth of the Cauto river and the Lanier swamp. To these could be
added the Sabana-Camagiiey archipelago and others. Due to its size and richness, the
Zapata Swamp is recognized as the most important wetland among the Caribbean islands.
Around 60% of Cuban wetlands have suffered medium to high anthropic modification; around 25% are modified to a medium degree and 15% are in a natural state or
little modified. The main actions that affect Cuban wetlands are: creation of dams,
drainage systems and other hydraulic constructions; overexploitation of surface waters; reduction of forest cover and changing the natural vegetation to a monotypic forest; introduction of exotic species; creating human settlements and their networks of
facilities without proper integration to the peculiarities of the zone.
The main impaCts resulting from these actions are changes in the water cycle with a
tendency to desiccation in some areas, destabilization of the natural vegetation, mainly in
mangrove areas, loss of habitat for important species of the fauna and the flora, eutrophication processes in channels and other water bodies, salinization of soils and water reservoirs, and an increase in the silting process in lagoons, both littoral and inland.
Of all the above affectations mentioned in each of the Cuban coastal ecosystems,
pollution from land sources demands special attention, as it is the most important threat
to the marine environment and the main obstacle for the sustainable use of oceans and
coastal zones and their resources. Land sources produce 77% of ocean pollution, while
maritime transport and spills represent only 10% each.
10.3
Coastal Protection: Precedents and Current Situation
10.3.1
Protection of Fisheries Resources
Among the main characteristics of fisheries in Cuba we can mention (Consulta Nacional
Rio+5 1997):
T.B. Hernandez
land a considerable amount of water, sediments and organic matter, which in part determines their biological productivity. In fact, lagoons and estuaries are the marine
ecosystems with the highest fisheries productivity and are the habitat with the highest
potential to develop marine culture. They harbor species with a high ecological value,
like the manatee, an endangered species.
They are affected by pollution through dumping from agroindustries (mainly the
sugar industry), agriculture (pesticides, herbicides, etc.), sewage, river damming, reduction of water exchange with the platform due to constructions in the littoral zone,
mangrove deforestation and illegal fishing.
10.2.2.7
Wetlands
In our country, wetlands need a special mention as coastal systems. Because of being
an island, Cuba has important wetlands which are prioritized sites for preserving biological diversity and the stable functioning of important ecosystems, both for their
economic production as well as for its natural values.
Because of their natural values, there are three particularly important wetlands in Cuba:
the Zapata Swamp, the mouth of the Cauto river and the Lanier swamp. To these could be
added the Sabana-Camagiiey archipelago and others. Due to its size and richness, the
Zapata Swamp is recognized as the most important wetland among the Caribbean islands.
Around 60% of Cuban wetlands have suffered medium to high anthropic modification; around 25% are modified to a medium degree and 15% are in a natural state or
little modified. The main actions that affect Cuban wetlands are: creation of dams,
drainage systems and other hydraulic constructions; overexploitation of surface waters; reduction of forest cover and changing the natural vegetation to a monotypic forest; introduction of exotic species; creating human settlements and their networks of
facilities without proper integration to the peculiarities of the zone.
The main impaCts resulting from these actions are changes in the water cycle with a
tendency to desiccation in some areas, destabilization of the natural vegetation, mainly in
mangrove areas, loss of habitat for important species of the fauna and the flora, eutrophication processes in channels and other water bodies, salinization of soils and water reservoirs, and an increase in the silting process in lagoons, both littoral and inland.
Of all the above affectations mentioned in each of the Cuban coastal ecosystems,
pollution from land sources demands special attention, as it is the most important threat
to the marine environment and the main obstacle for the sustainable use of oceans and
coastal zones and their resources. Land sources produce 77% of ocean pollution, while
maritime transport and spills represent only 10% each.
10.3
Coastal Protection: Precedents and Current Situation
10.3.1
Protection of Fisheries Resources
Among the main characteristics of fisheries in Cuba we can mention (Consulta Nacional
Rio+5 1997):