Development economic alternatives fishing community Punta Alegre contribute sustainable use marine resources and biodiversity protection National Park Los Caimanes SGP-GEF
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Description
It was common practice to fish at the time and place of fish spawning, which is known in Cuba as "racing". The most recurrent place was the so-called "fishing boat" of Los Caimanes, a place where nine species of snappers and grouper are spawned.
Such a number of species spawning in the same place makes it the most diverse spawning site in Cuba, matched by one in Belize, in the continental Caribbean.
The protection of this spawning site, in addition to other important values of marine biodiversity, led to the creation of the Los Caimanes National Park which, according to Cuban law, prohibits fishing and any other extractive activity.
The protection of the place is not only important for the recruitment of juveniles in the north coast of Cuba, studies indicate that the larvae born in Los Caimanes reach almost the entire north coast of Cuba, the Bahamas and part of the southeast coast of the EE . That's why the park has as its slogan "... where the fish are born".
Although there is a fishing ban, communities continue to fish stealthily in order to meet their economic and spiritual needs. On the assumption that illegality (and with it damage to biodiversity) will continue as long as those needs are not met.
The Small Grants Program of the Global Environment Facility (SGP-GEF), the Punta Alegre Fishing Community in the central province of Ciego de vila and the Administration of the Caimanes National Park of the Center for Environmental Studies of Villa Clara, are working on the development of alternatives Economic development in the surrounding communities, which will help to reduce threats to this important marine ecosystem.
The alternatives must satisfy: be environmentally friendly, develop in the sea and be economically profitable.
To date, the proposals for alternatives to be developed are: cultivation of sea sponges, cultivation of mangrove oysters and cultivation of tilapia mono sex in sea water; Will begin in the next months the culture of agarfitas algae using the experience developed by projects of the SGP - GEF in Belize.
The proposed alternatives contribute to the increase of families' financial capacity, the incorporation of women into the productive life and the food security of the communities, reducing the fishing pressure within this valuable ecosystem in the basin of the Greater Caribbean.
There are experiences in Florida, with the same species, that restoration of abundance can occur between three and six years from the cessation of fishing pressure in spawning.
SDGS & Targets
Goal 14
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
14.1
By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
14.1.1
(a) Index of coastal eutrophication; and (b) plastic debris density
14.2
By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
14.2.1
Number of countries using ecosystem-based approaches to managing marine areas
14.3
Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels
14.3.1
14.4
By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics
14.4.1
14.5
By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information
14.5.1
14.6
By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation
14.6.1
Degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing
14.7
By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism
14.7.1
Sustainable fisheries as a proportion of GDP in small island developing States, least developed countries and all countries
14.a
Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
14.a.1
14.b
Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets
14.b.1
Degree of application of a legal/regulatory/policy/institutional framework which recognizes and protects access rights for small‐scale fisheries
14.c
Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want"
14.c.1
Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources
SDG 14 targets covered
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| 14.2 | By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans |
| 14.4 | By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics |
| 14.7 | By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism |
| 14.b | Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets |
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Angel Quiros, Dr.