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billy causey

managing our marine resources

​

​

U.S. and Cuba are Connected in Many Ways

PictureBilly Causey (NPBL Photo)
"We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch - we are going back from whence we came." -- John F. Kennedy

By GERRY BARKER
North Palm Beach Life


Billy Causey has ties to the sea that are deep and wide. As the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) director in charge of National Marine Sanctuaries, with over 30 years of experience, he knows firsthand how life on land and sea are interconnected.

Causey spoke to that at the recent Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County dinner, held at Sandpiper's Cove Restaurant in North Palm Beach, where the topic was "The Allure of Cuba."

It was almost a year ago when Causey's boss, former astronaut Dr. Kathryn Sullivan, Under Secretary of Commerce for NOAA, signed the first agreement between the United States and Cuba in over 60 years.  NOAA joined with the National Park Service to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Cuba’s Ministry of Science, Technology, and Environment "to facilitate joint efforts concerning science, stewardship, and management related to Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)."

Causey pointed out Cuba and the U.S. are connected by water and socially in many different ways. "Over 25 percent of their coasts are marine protected areas," he said. "They are ahead of us in many ways in their management plans and handling their resources."

Another aspect of the agreement sets up "sister sanctuaries" between the two countries, as stated by this press release from NOAA:

"The MOU also includes a sister MPA program to foster conservation and understanding of natural marine resources in both countries, sharing technical and scientific data, and promoting education and outreach initiatives."

Causey said the U.S., Mexico and Cuba have been discussing joint initiatives for several years.  Areas involved in the "sister" program include Guanahacabibes National Park in Cuba, including its offshore Bank of San Antonio, and the Flower Garden Banks, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuaries and the Dry Tortugas and Biscayne national parks managed by the National Park Service.

"The Cubans are very interested in recreation and ecotourism, but are  not prepared for it yet," said Causey. "We can help them."

Another joint concern is controlling the lionfish, an invasive species that can wreak havoc on coral reef systems.

Also an issue -- oil and gas exploration. The Bank of San Antonio is surrounded by petroleum industry development, and Causey said the Cubans want to know how the U.S. has worked with that industry in the Gulf of Mexico, where there are over 4,000 rigs.

In July, Causey hosted a meeting with Cuban officials in the Florida Keys. One of the Cubans asked, "How many boats are in the Keys?"
He told him, one in every three people own a boat, and there are 90,000 year-round residents.

"How many do you think they want to come to Cuba?" the official asked. "All of them," Causey replied.

With the recent move toward normalizing relations, they all agree it's time to kick getting ready for tourism into high gear.

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​Billy Causey is the Southeast Regional Director for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. He has managed Sanctuaries in the Florida Keys since 1983, when he became the Manager of the Looe Key Sanctuary.  He served as the Superintendent of the 2900 snm Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary from August 1991 to September 2, 2006, when he assumed his current position. Dr. Causey was the lead NOAA official in the development of the management plan for the Keys Sanctuary.  He was responsible for establishing the first comprehensive marine zoning plan for the United States.  

Related: Phil Thompson Talk About Cuba
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Causey hosted a July meeting with the Cubans in the Keys
(Credit: Billy Causey)
Picture
Credit: Billy Causey

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  • Home
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  • Gigi in the 561
    • Gigi in the 561 Interviews
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    • My Father's Tales >
      • My Father's Tales - Photo Album
  • Blogs
    • Gerry Pronounced Gary
    • Rock and Roll Rewind
    • Susan Goldfein -- Blog >
      • Susan Goldfein
  • Video
  • Travel
    • Snaps >
      • Snaps - Page 2
    • Island Destinations
    • October Odyssey >
      • Cartagena, Columbia
      • Panama Canal
      • Antigua, Guatemala
      • Cabo San Lucas
      • Birds and Bees Speakeasy in Los Angeles
      • We Love LA
      • Coast Starlight
      • Napa Wine Tour
      • California Zephyr
      • California Zephyr Part Two
      • Chicago
      • Amtrak Capitol Limited
      • Washington DC
    • Pam - Traveling in Style
    • Road Trip! >
      • Road Trip! -- Tucumcari, New Mexico
      • Road Trip! -- The Painted Desert
      • Road Trip! - Sedona, Arizona
      • Road Trip! - Sedona Wineries
      • Road Trip! Tonto Natural Bridge State Park
      • Road Trip! - Mogollon Rim
      • Road Trip! - Verde Canyon Railroad
      • Road Trip! - Jerome, Arizona
      • Road Trip! - California
      • Road Trip! - Palm Springs Celebrity Tour
      • Road Trip! - Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
      • Road Trip! - Festival in Palm Springs
      • Road Trip! - Willcox, Arizona and Apple Annie's Orchard
      • Road Trip! Willcox Wineries
      • Road Trip! Chiricahua National Monument
      • Road Trip! Tombstone, Arizona
      • Tombstone, Part Two
      • Road Trip! - Epilogue
    • Traveling With Joe >
      • Beartooth Highway
      • North Cascades National Park
      • A Visit to the Philippines
      • Grand Canyon National Park
      • Glacier National Park
      • Yellowstone National Park
      • Hiking in Bear Country
      • Crater Lake National Park
      • Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
      • The Kerrville Folk Festival
      • Building Hope in the Rio Grande Valley
    • Unknown Yellowstone >
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Heart Lake
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Summit Lake
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Shoshone Lake
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Grizzly Lake
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Riddle Lake
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Pelican Cone
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Mt. Washburn
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Specimen Ridge
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Avalanche Peak
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Divide Creek
  • Contact
    • Pamela Barker - Author
    • The Story of StarText
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