Mission finds healthy reefs

HAVANA— A joint U.S.Cuban expedition to explore the island’s coral reefs, using technology provided by Florida Atlantic University, uncovered a surprisingly healthy ecosystem and large schools of mackerel with significant commercial value, scientists involved in themission said Tuesday.

The study also found alarmingly high numbers of invasive lionfish, which is not native to the Western Hemisphere and has become a growing marine menace in recent years.

“We found an incredible amount of diversity, especially in algae and sponges, and the reefs were in incredible health aswell,” said Patricia Gonzalez of the Marine Investigations Center at the University of Havana. “Someof the most fascinating results have to do with widespread coral coverage, insome cases up to 70 and 80 percent, and some species we believe are new.”

The preliminary findings came from an expedition aboard a boat that sailed

“Environment and science are two issues that everyone can agree on. It’s fairly apolitical.” Dan Whittle, Environmental Defense Fund

more than1,400 nautical miles aroundCubainMayandJune.

Scientists said the mission was made possible by the restoration of diplomatic relations between Havana and Washington two years ago under then-President Barack Obama and his Cuban counterpart, Raul Castro.

It was a result of an agreement signed in 2015 between the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. National Park Service and Cuba’s Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment.

FAU provided technology aboard the boat that allowed specialists to observe coral reefs at a depth of over 200 feet (60 meters), participants said.

Scientists predicted such cooperative ventures will continue

despite current President Donald Trump’s new policy toward the communistrun country, which would prohibit most new American transactions with Cuban militarybusinesses and restrict some U.S. travel to the island.

“Environment and science are two issues that everyone can agree on,” said DanWhittle of the Environmental Defense Fund. “It’s fairly apolitical.”