Cuba and US sign first environment agreement: The agreement was the first of its kind since the normalization of diplomatic relations between the two nations

Scientific institutions from both countries signed on Wednesday a Memorandum of Understanding defending the preservation of Marine Protected Areas.

The document was sealed by geologist and former astronaut Kathryn Dwyer Sullivan, also director of the U.S. National Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Fernando Gonzalez, Cuban vice-minister of science, technology, and the environment.

“We recognize we all share the same ocean and face the same challenges of understanding, managing, and conserving critical marine resources for future generations,” said Sullivan. “The opportunity for international cooperation in marine conservation is invaluable and this moves us closer to ensuring a healthy and productive ocean for everyone.”

The main objective was to study and implement measures that could preserve fragile ecosystems, where activities like oil exploration or tourism are growing in frequency.

The agreement delimits five zones of joint action: Guanahacabibes National Park in Cuba, the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuaries, and the Dry Tortugas and Biscayne national parks.

National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis said, “Cooperation among protected area managers of Cuba and U.S. national park and marine sanctuaries is a great way to preserve our shared natural heritage of the wider Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico regions. After all, fish, marine mammals, sea turtles, birds and other marine life exist in ecosystems that rarely fall within maps drawn by (people).”

Source