Beach Monitoring Exchange SAI-CUBA February 18-24, 2005

1. Beach Monitoring Exchange SAI-CUBAFebruary 18-24, 2005

2. Laying the foundation UNESCO since 1999 help build capacity in the SAI Archipelago for beach monitoring Spanish language and the SAI experience in beach monitoring for more than 5 years were key factors for exchange planning Dra. Gillian Cambers facilitated networking with the COSALC SAI activities and the Havana Costa Sur DPPF – UNESCO project

3. Laying the Foundation • “Community Best Practices to Cope with Beach Erosion” Workshop, 23-27 Feb., 2004, Havana. Funded by UNESCO, the Physical Planning Institute and the Havana Province Physical Planning. A very important event that provided and opportunity to exchange on beach erosion, and future networking within the Caribbean. • “Facing erosion at the Mayabeque Beach” by Fara Carreras. Where some actions were undertaken to mitigate beach erosion, with technical advise from Dr Gillian Cambers. As a complementary activity it was suggested that a beach monitoring program should be initiated to measure the future changes on Mayabeque and other beaches on the south coast of the island. • UNESCO funded beach monitoring training workshop, Feb. 18-24, 2005 • UNESCO donated beach monitoring equipment to the Cuba project

4. Implementation of the Exchange • In situ briefing on beach monitoring techniques • Indoor training session • Field training • Software training and data analysis

5. Working Team

6. Indoor Training Session • 5 specialist from the Costa Sur DPPF- UNESCO project were given the theoretical training in a workshop that was held • 2 phases (1 on the importance of beaches, monitoring methodology and in managing the Profana program, and analyzing the information)

7. Field Training • Reference points were established. • Profiles were measured acordingly to the shape of the beach.

8. Data analysis • The field data collected were entered into the Profana data base, developed by Dr Gillian Cambers. This is a very important tool for data analysis. Team were properly train in software management.

9. Outputs Setup of 11 reference points for long term beach monitoring at Mayabeque, Municipality of Melena del Sur. Comparison with previous measurements taken by Dra. Gillian Cambers. There was an apparent recovery of the beach. Year monitoring plan formulated for the Mayabeque beach.

10. 5 specialist from the Costa Sur Project were trained in equipment management, data collection, management of Profana software and data analysis. Profana program were install in the 9 Municipalities of the South Coast of the island. Experience and literature exchanges Extension of the COSALC program in the Caribbean Outputs

11. Conclusions Monitoring with COSALC methodology at the Mayabeque beach will be a tool to prove the positive or negative results of the actions undertaken within the project “Coping with beach erosion at Mayabeque”. Beach monitoring program will be a tool for future decision making in the area and best management practices planning.

12. Recommendations Carry out education and awareness programs in the south coast, to foster proper beach management. Develop complementary activities such as: dunes reforestation, beach cleanups, implement garbage management programs and set up informative sign boards.

13. Recommendations Conduct beach monitoring training workshops at the other 8 municipalities on the south coast of the island. Conduct at least three monitoring activities yearly and define when necessary after storm events. Maintain permanent communication with the SAI monitoring program for continuous advice and strengthen the program in Cuba.