ICZM in Cuba: Challenges and opportunities in a changing economic context

Cuba embraced integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) after the Earth Summit, 1992. A series of legal and institutional arrangements rapidly emerged, creating a more solid framework for ICZM in the Caribbean island. Nonetheless, although nearly 48% of Cuba jurisdictional area is ocean, the scope of most ICZM initiatives in the country has been limited to coastal terrestrial issues. Thus, recognition for the inclusion of the marine component of the coastal zone in the national policies and legislation for ocean and coastal management is needed. This paper discusses a number of policy and legal shortcomings that constrain integration and success in ICZM initiatives. Such limitations coupled with opportunities arising from the current political and economic context in the island put the realization of successful ICZM at risk. Overall, the development of a new and comprehensive policy that supports integrated coastal and ocean management in Cuba is critical for: i) addressing the gaps and limitations of the national ICZM approach; and ii) addressing the imminent challenges and opportunities that the new Cuban economic model may represent to the national governance of ICZM.