Cuba

 Introduction

Cuba can be considered an imminently marine country, as all of its population is dependent upon marine resources in one fashion or another. Thus, the National Oceanographic Commission and the Center for Environmental Information and Education, and the Environmental Agency have decided to organize action programs which celebrate the 1998 International Year of the Ocean.

Priority Themes

The International Year of the Ocean directs attention to a variety of themes. However each nation's concerns differ due to its region or particular locality. The following themes should be considered as priorities in Cuba:

• Sustainable use, administration and integrated management of the coastal zone;
• Industrial and traditional fishing and the preservation of biodiversity;
• Leisure and tourism (the role of economic development and its influence on preserving quality along coasts and in the oceans;
• Marine and coastal pollution and the role of land based pollution;
• Coral reefs and mangrove forests as principal national marine ecosystems and coastal habitats;
• Other marine and coastal resources: petroleum, sand, etc..;
• The ocean, climate and natural disasters.

 Principal Areas for Action

• Administration and management of resources;
• Technical and scientific research and technology development;
• Cooperation and integration of science and technology;
• Training of professionals and technicians (university and technical education);
• Environmental marine education (formal and informal, particularly on coastal programs);
• Scientific results and common techniques;
• Art, culture, sport and leisure;
• The legal domain and regulatory measures relative to the ocean and coastal areas, in the national, regional and local realms of legislation and administration.

Actions and Initiatives

The actions and initiatives to be achieved during the 1998 International Year of the Ocean should contribute to accomplishing the IYO objectives, which include the involvement of all sectors of society. The actions and initiatives which are attainable are listed below:

Science and technology:

• Conference on Marine Science (CON, Havana, Sept. 97).
• Science Day for children (National Aquarium of Cuba, Apr. 98).
• National Workshop on Integrated Coastal Management (dates and place to be decided)
• Preparation of a diagnostic report on Cuban developments in marine science and technology (Expert Group, CON, to be finalized in Nov. 97).
• Prepare a national strategy for marine science and technology.
• Prepare and edit special scientific publications

Environmental education and public awareness:

National Commemorative Day on June 5, 1998- "World Environment Day".

• National workshop for marine environmental education (place and dates to be decided).
• Organization of conferences, discussions, etc., catered towards national, local, university, school and coastal village interests.
• Prepare and edit scientific and technical publications for the public at large.
• Launch different scientific contests at national and local levels.
• Promote the signature of the "Oceans Charter" (proposed by IOC/UNESCO).
• Prepare and print a series of commemorative stamps (Cuban Commission for UNESCO- Minister of Communication).
• Develop radio and television programs on relevant themes. Organize press conferences in Dec. 97 and May 98.
• Incite and coordinate the creation of articles in magazine and newspapers.
• Produce promotion articles for the public at large on the themes in relation to the marine environment (posters, brochures, stickers, flags, stamps, caps, sweatshirts, etc.).
• Organize and develop cruises and/or national oceanographic measures in specific localities.
• Create a "Website" on the Internet for questions pertaining to the marine environment of Cuba.
• Create a general exposition on the marine environment and cover all themes and subjects of particular interest. This exposition could become part of the Central Pavilion of ExpoCuba or the Pavilion >98.
• National campaign "Clean the Planet" with particular attention on cleanliness of the coastal areas and beaches.

Culture, sport and leisure

• Recreational and cultural festivals or special days for children and youth (nautical activities, swimming competition, concerts, recitals, presentations and/or debates of books and films, etc.
• Literature, painting and handicrafts.
• Other recreational or cultural activities.

The program for the International Year of the Ocean is dependent upon the contribution and participation of different organizations and enterprises in those topics which are of particular and general interest.

The National Oceanographic Committee of Cuba (CON) will serve as the organizer and general coordinator of the program with the assistance of marine science institutes and with the active participation of the Environmental Information and Education Center.

Actions for environmental education, research and awareness which will develop during the International Year of the Ocean, will take place under the general domain of the National Program for Environmental Information 1998, developed by the Environmental Agency via the CIDEA. In this context, the National Commemorative Day on June 5, 1998- "World Environment Day", will accord special attention to the celebration of the International Year of the Ocean by selecting a central theme which will be associated with this activity.

CON and CIDEA will create research projects and provide financial contributions to ensure that initiatives of a national character are implemented.