The Remarkable Reefs of Cuba is a captivating exploration into the thriving coral ecosystems within Cuba’s waters, offering a beacon of hope in the face of global marine devastation. Why was this an important book for you to write?

Most important, this is a book of hope. The situation for coral reefs — like so many treasured ecosystems on Earth — is dire. There are estimates we have lost up to half of the world’s coral reefs and some questioning whether the reefs that remain can endure until the end of the century. There is a general perception that climate change alone is killing our reefs, so the situation seems helpless to many. However, there are, in fact, many factors that affect the health of coral reefs that are locally-caused. That means there are actions we can take immediately that will help coral reefs be more resilient to climate change. I also felt it was important to write this book to document a long and fruitful history of collaboration between U.S. and Cuban scientists, working across ever-changing political winds, with marine science and conservation held up as one of the best examples of collaboration between the two countries. Cuba’s unique history also figures prominently in this book, much of being an utter mystery to most.

As a marine scientist, what was the most surprising discovery you made about the reefs of Cuba that differed from other coral ecosystems around the world? 

After seeing nothing but dead and dying reefs in the Caribbean for decades, it was a profound shock to come face-to-face with coral reefs that appeared even healthier than those I fell in love with in the Florida Keys when I was a teenager. (Tragically the reefs of the Florida Keys are now 80 to 90 percent dead.) It has also been an important discovery that the reasons Cuba’s coral reefs are so healthy — corals that are sitting in the same hot water as degraded reefs — rest in local factors (like fishing, nutrient pollution, etc.) that we can control.

How can we, as individuals, contribute effectively towards the conservation of coral reefs?

Of course, taking action against climate change — through changes in our own lives, through advocacy or otherwise — is critically important. But there are things we can do, literally in our own backyards, that can make an enormous difference. For example, using less fertilizer is important as it inevitably runs into streams, rivers, and ultimately the oceans, where it fuels the growth of algae which can smother coral reefs. Reducing overfishing is critical as many fish are important to coral reefs, grazing algae and keeping them clean. Ask questions of your server at the restaurant or of your grocer. Where are the fish from, how were they caught, and are they sustainable? Finally, support organizations in the fight to save coral reefs. I am biased, of course. The nonprofit organization I founded and run, Ocean Doctor (https://oceandoctor.org), is one of the leaders in coral reef conservation, especially in Cuba. There are many other worthy organizations as well, of course.

What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?

I’m working on something that hasn’t yet been green-lighted, but I’m hopeful it will be. I can’t divulge too much at this point, but it deals with a tragic shipwreck with terrible consequences. I’m hoping it will be on the shelves in 2025.

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