Issue 79 - December 2021

Cuba Under Immediate Threat From Climate Change

By Mark Friedman

Cuba’s delegation to Cop26 tells DR LAUREN COLLINS about the island’s approach to adapting to the effects of global warming, the challenges it faces and its hopes for the outcome of this crucial world summit

IT WAS in 1992, at the Rio Earth Summit, that Fidel Castro said: “Humankind is at risk of disappearing due to the rapid and progressive elimination of its natural habitat.

“We are becoming aware of this problem when it is almost too late to prevent it.”

In March 1995, the first Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (Cop1) met, yet it was not until Cop21, held in Paris in December 2015, that a legally binding agreement was secured to keep global warming no higher than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

Since then, another six years have passed without a decisive and concerted effort by the globe’s biggest polluters to avert disaster. As with many other island nations, Cuba is facing immediate and current threats from climate change.

Since the 1950s Cuba’s annual average temperature has risen by 0.9°C, cyclone activity has significantly altered, sea levels have risen, and the availability of freshwater has decreased by around 40 per cent, half of which has occurred within the last 20 years.

These changes have serious consequences, turning Cuba’s climate from tropical wet to tropical dry, causing more frequent and prolonged droughts, the salination of aquifers and agricultural land, less, but more intense, rainfall, increased solar radiation due to less cloud cover, and the imminent threat of permanent flooding in coastal regions.

Cuba’s State Plan to Address Climate Change, known in Cuba as Tarea Vida (Project Life), was adopted by Cuba’s national assembly in April 2017.

Cuba already has a very light carbon footprint (0.08 per cent of global emissions) and so the ambitious plan is largely focused on adaptation measures. Its main objectives are to protect human life, and to ensure that every community, large or small, is resilient and can attain a full and prosperous life. It involves all sectors of the economy and society and is implemented at national and local levels.

The priority areas for Tarea Vida identified in 2020 include coastal protection, agriculture, guaranteeing availability and efficient use of water, reforestation (including mangroves and coral reefs), and increasing risk perception and knowledge in general population.

In 2019, Cuba adopted by referendum a new constitution that devolved powers to the local level, making the municipalities the main element of the government structure.

As a result, the island is undergoing an intense process to build decision-making processes from the bottom up, which empowers local leadership and facilitates increased engagement of the population in drawing up adaptation plans, particularly in relation to local agriculture and food production and coastal protection.

The Ministry for Science, Technology and the Environment (Citma) liaises closely with the local and provincial government, to gain input into its national plans for adapting to changing climatic conditions, and to support the development and implementation of local response plans.

The Cop26 delegation gives an example of how this works in practice. They pointed to the project, Coastal Resilience to Climate Change in Cuba through Ecosystem-Based Adaptation, known as “Mi Costa” (My Coast), approved this year by the Green Climate Fund.

The project involves 24 municipalities in seven provinces and will also restore ecosystems in seven communities.

All of these actions will involve a process of locally relevant capacity building and training at the community level through 24 Capacity-Building Centres (one in each municipality).

Communities will be active participants in monitoring the benefits and management of ecosystems and relating them to their lives and livelihoods.

This allows local people to make decisions based on an understanding of their exposure to climate hazards, and by strengthening community capacities they can ensure that adaptation actions are based on local and national realities.

Members of the delegation spoke about the impact that the blockade, imposed by the United States government for more than six decades, has on Cuba’s efforts to adapt to climate change. They said that it affects all sectors of the economy and society and that there is no policy or action that can escape its negative impact.

Emphasizing the serious and permanent commitment that Cuba has to climate action, the delegation told me that Cuba has recently updated its Nationally Determined Contribution as a state party to the Paris Agreement.

It includes much more ambitious commitments both in terms of mitigation and adaptation, the fulfilment of which will require enormous efforts.

Resources are required for its implementation, and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement clearly established the need to provide means of implementation (financing, technologies and capacity building) to the developing countries.

As well as the reluctance of some industrialized countries, including the US, to comply with these dispositions, the Cuban delegation said that, in the case of Cuba, there is also the impact of the blockade, which severely restricts the country’s access to resources and financing, and although great efforts are being made to implement the national plan, the blockade imposes additional challenges.

As an example of the level of hostility by the US government towards Cuba, the delegation told me that, in March 2021, when the Green Climate Board was considering Cuba’s application (made jointly with the United Nations Development Programme) for funding for the Mi Costa project, 23 representatives supported the project, and only the US delegate rejected it, on the basis that Cuba is on the US list of state sponsors of terrorism.

Cuba was added to the list under the Trump administration, but this happened under the Biden administration. And this is not the only time that a US delegate has rejected applications by Cuba for funding to tackle climate change.

When asked about their hopes for Cop26, the delegation said that it is crucial that it fully meets its objectives and that Cuba is ready to work constructively with all the delegations to achieve a successful result commensurate with the urgency of the situation, adding that it is imperative that agreements are reached, and commitments made, to fully comply with United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and achieve full implementation of the Paris Agreement.

Dr Lauren Collins is an honorary research fellow at the University of Nottingham and a member of the executive committee of the Cuba Solidarity Campaign.

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Issue 79 - December 2021

SAWFISH NEWS: Havenworth Coastal Conservation Angler and Diver Guidelines for Interactions with Endangered Sawfish

By Tonya Wiley

The population of smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata) in the United States experienced a dramatic decline during the 20th century due to overfishing and habitat loss. Given the decline, NOAA Fisheries listed the U.S. population of smalltooth sawfish as “endangered” under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 2003. One of the best ways to track the effectiveness of ongoing management and conservation efforts is to collect information about the sawfish encounters of fishers, divers, and others. Details of public sightings and captures of sawfish can substantially increase the data we have about the species, allowing us to make management and policy decisions that are reflective of the realities in the water. Because of their countless hours on and in the water, we are seeking to partner with the angling and diving community to collect information about their sawfish interactions.

For anglers to safely and legally release any sawfish accidentally caught while fishing:

Release sawfish immediately
Leave the sawfish, especially the gills, in the water at all times
Never lift a sawfish from the water or drag it ashore
Do not use gaffs or ropes to secure any captured sawfish
Cut the line as close to the hook as safely possible
Share the details of your sawfish catch with scientists
Anglers should note that advertising fishing trips or charters aimed at catching endangered smalltooth sawfish can be considered “targeting,” which is a violation of the ESA. Therefore, I strongly urge that the following conservation messaging be included in all social media posts regarding sawfish catches: Sawfish are protected under the Endangered Species Act. Help protect this critically endangered species by following NOAA Fisheries handling and release guidelines available at www.SawfishRecovery.org.

For divers to safely and legally enjoy encounters with sawfish:

Keep your distance
Avoid disturbing sawfish
Never chase, feed, or touch them
Share information about your sawfish encounters with scientists
Divers should note that advertising expeditions aimed at encountering endangered smalltooth sawfish can be considered “targeting,” which is a violation of the ESA. Therefore, I strongly urge that the following conservation messaging be included in all social media posts regarding sawfish observations: Sawfish are protected under the Endangered Species Act. Help protect this critically endangered species by following NOAA Fisheries viewing guidelines available at www.SawfishRecovery.org.

You can promote sawfish recovery by following these interaction guidelines and educating others about them. Please share the information about your sawfish encounters by visiting www.SawfishRecovery.org, calling 1-844-4SAWFISH, emailing sawfish@myfwc.com, or entering the details in the FWC Reporter App. Your encounter reports will be used to track recovery of the population and steer research efforts, which will ultimately benefit the species and the areas in which you fish and dive.

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Conservation Photography

Grey Reef Shark – Photo Taken in Palau – Jack’s December 2021 Underwater Photograph

A grey reef shark is swimming in the ocean

The grey reef shark has a streamlined, moderately stout body with a long, blunt snout and large, round eyes. The upper and lower jaws each have 13 or 14 teeth (usually 14 in the upper and 13 in the lower). The upper teeth are triangular with slanted cusps, while the bottom teeth have narrower, erect cusps. The tooth serrations are larger in the upper jaw than in the lower. The first dorsal fin is medium-sized, and there is no ridge running between it and the second dorsal fin. The pectoral fins are narrow and falcate (sickle-shaped). The coloration is grey above, sometimes with a bronze sheen, and white below. The entire rear margin of the caudal fin has a distinctive, broad, black band. There are dusky to black tips on the pectoral, pelvic, second dorsal, and anal fins. Individuals from the western Indian Ocean have a narrow, white margin at the tip of the first dorsal fin; this trait is usually absent from Pacific populations. Grey reef sharks that spend time in shallow water eventually darken in color, due to tanning. Most grey reef sharks are less than 1.9 m (6.2 ft) long. The maximum reported length is 2.6 m (8.5 ft) and the maximum reported weight is 33.7 kg (74 lb).

This is a very social species, often seen building “schools” of more than 100. They are active both during the day as well as at night. Social hierarchies and dominance varies depending on the habitat of various shark populations, but a social structure is almost always apparent. Because they are larger than most other species of Reef Shark, they are considered the most dominant species in the sensitive reef ecosystem.

Grey reef sharks feed mainly on bony fishes, with cephalopods such as squid and octopus being the second-most important food group, and crustaceans such as crabs and lobsters making up the remainder. The larger sharks take a greater proportion of cephalopods. These sharks hunt individually or in groups, and have been known to pin schools of fish against the outer walls of coral reefs for feeding. They excel at capturing fish swimming in the open, and they complement hunting whitetip reef sharks, which are more adept at capturing fish inside caves and crevices. Their sense of smell is extremely acute, being capable of detecting one part tuna extract in 10 billion parts of sea water. In the presence of a large quantity of food, grey reef sharks may be roused into a feeding frenzy; in one documented frenzy caused by an underwater explosion that killed several snappers, one of the sharks involved was attacked and consumed by the others.

See more of Jack Fung’s underwater photography on Instagram

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Issue 79 - December 2021

SEVENSEAS Travel Magazine – December 2021 – Issue 79

Feature Destination

Feature Destination: Top Reasons for Nature & Wildlife Lovers to Visit The San Juan Island

Whether you’re an avid birder, an aspiring oceanographer, or just enjoy having a trail under your feet, extraordinary natural experiences await. Rocky shorelines, old growth forest, and a serene Salish Sea create homes for a motley crew of wildlife species. Read more…

Feature Destination: San Juan Islands Washington

As your ferry glides through the San Juan Islands, feel yourself unwind. Watch for bald eagles and listen for the spouts of orca or humpback whales. You won’t find fast food, stoplights, or jet skis, you will find “orcaholics” and enclaves of creativite vitality. Read more…

Capitol Hill Ocean Week 2022 to Celebrate 50 Years of Ocean and Coastal Protection

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation announced the theme for Capitol Hill Ocean Week (CHOW) in 2022 will be “Sea: the Future,” looking back at 50 years of the ocean and coastal protection and toward the next 50 years. Read more…

Conservation Photography with Karim & Jack

Humpback Whales Breach – Under the Waves with Karim Iliya

Grey Reef Shark in Palau – Jack’s Underwater Photograph

What’s In Our Newsroom

Small-Scale Tuna Sector Push for ‘Polluter Pays’ Principle in Atlantic

Concerns have been building since bigeye tuna was formally declared overfished by scientists of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) in 2015. This year, seven years after the first scientific assessment, scientists still have to conclude that the population (or so-called “stock”) is overfished. Read more…

Seaweed Supplements Could Significantly Reduce Livestock Methane Emissions

As Cop26 continues to debate methane – with the US And EU has pledged to reduce agricultural methane outputs from ruminant livestock by upwards of 30% by 2030 – scientists at the Institute for Global Food Security (IGFS) at Queen’s University Belfast are to feed seaweed to farm animals in a bid to slash methane by at least 30%. Read more…

Scientists Discover New Hydrothermal Vents and Possible New Species in the Gulf of California

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A multidisciplinary team of scientists from Mexico and the U.S. discovered new hydrothermal vents and six possible new animal species during a 33-day expedition off the coast of La Paz on Schmidt Ocean Institute’s research vessel Falkor. The underwater robot ROV SuBastian was used to explore and sample vents emitting fluids at temperatures up to 287°C (549°F). Read more…

Bow Seat Announces Student Winners of Global Environmental Arts Competition

Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs (Bow Seat) announced the winners of the 2021 Ocean Awareness Contest, an international art competition that engages youth in creatively raising awareness of and inspiring action on environmental issues impacting our blue planet. Read more…

Global Network Takes Stock of Human Adaptation to Climate Change

As society experiences increasingly frequent and severe natural hazard events and environmental stressors—while making little progress at reducing carbon emissions—the need to adapt to the changing climate has become starkly clear. Read more…

Book Suggestion: WHALE SHARK, Biology, Ecology, and Conservation (Simon Pierce’s Interview)

a whale shark with a scuba diver in the ocean

Whale sharks are the largest of all fishes, fascinating for comparative studies of all manner of biological fields, including functional anatomy, growth, metabolism, movement ecology, behavior and physiology. These gentle ocean giants have captured the interest of scientists and the imagination of the public, yet their future is uncertain. Read more…

The 2021 State of The Sound Report Shows Our Collective Efforts to Protect & Restore Puget Sound Have made a Difference

The Puget Sound Partnership released its biennial State of the Sound report, which assesses the health of the Puget Sound ecosystem and progress towards its recovery. While Puget Sound is not doing well, there are signs we are making progress. “When tribal, federal, state, and local decision-makers work together to protect and restore Puget Sound, the ecosystem improves.” Read more…

Powerful Anti-Capitalist Speech by Greta Thunberg at Glasgow Climate Change Conference

18-year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg spoke on Nov. 8 at the rally of 100,000 in Glasgow organized by Fridays for Future, an international movement of students which grew out of her climate strike outside the Swedish parliament that began in 2018. Read more…

Northern Chumash Tribal Council Celebrates Decision to Advance Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary Designation

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation joined tribal, national and community leaders in celebrating the initiation of Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary’s designation process, announced today by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Read more…

A Story of Amazing Jellyfishes by Morè Marianna

It is commonly known as the fried egg jellyfish, and no other name would have been more appropriate. It has a dark yellow cupola on top of its bell, a transparent flounce, and it moves like an egg being flipped by a cook. I swim besides a Mediterranean Cassiopeia – Cotylorhiza tuberculata by its classification name – and observe it closely while it floats through the sea. Read more…

Holiday Gift Guide: Practical Buying Tips From a SUP Pro

As the end of the year approaches, it’s time once again to start thinking about Christmas gifts and good fitness resolutions for the new year. Stand-up paddling is the latest trend in sport and is perfect for those who enjoy spending time on rivers, lakes, and seashores. Read more…

Cuba Under Immediate Threat From Climate Change

Manta Ray Bay Resort & Yap Divers Named #1 Value of Resort

Manta Ray Bay Resort & Yap Divers by Tim Rock

Manta Ray Bay Resort & Yap Divers has been voted the #1 resort in the Pacific/Indian Ocean region in the value-for-money category in Scuba Diving magazine’s annual readers’ poll of the best destinations, dive resorts, dive operators and liveaboard vessels. Read more…

SAWFISH NEWS: Havenworth Coastal Conservation Angler and Diver Guidelines for Interactions with Endangered Sawfish

The population of smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata) in the United States experienced a dramatic decline during the 20th century due to overfishing and habitat loss. Given the decline, NOAA Fisheries listed the U.S. population of smalltooth sawfish as “endangered” under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 2003. Read more…

Why Conventional Floating Solar PV Systems Will Fail in The Ocean

According to IRENA, floating solar is an emerging market with a high potential for rapid growth. While freshwater floating PV is being installed in more than 40 countries worldwide, seawater floating PV is a new market. In contrast to freshwater floating PV. Read more…

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Since 2004, SEVENSEAS Media has fostered an informal and non-partisan platform to promote understanding of key issues and challenges while building partnerships across an increasingly diverse group of marine conservation professionals and students.

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