Cuba's Jardines de la Reina National Park, managed by Grupo Empresarial Flora y Fauna, is a successful example of marine conservation. Since its initial protection in 1996, fish numbers in the park have increased and its biodiversity continues to grow due to strict regulations and surveillance efforts.
This park, encompassing over 2,170 square kilometers off Cuba's southwest coast, protects vital habitats such as mangroves, seagrass beds, and coral reefs. These are among the healthiest remaining in the Caribbean Sea and are home to diverse coral, fish, and bird species.
The Archipiélago Sabana-Camagüey, where Jardines de la Reina is located, features a coral reef barrier over 400 kilometers long. This is considered one of the planet's most important reefs. Jardines de la Reina earned a gold level Blue Park Award in 2021, and was designated a Hope Spot in 2013.
Jardines de la Reina is a major tourist region and a top Caribbean destination for ecotourism and diving enthusiasts. The park's conservation success has also improved the livelihoods of fishers due to the spillover of larger, healthier fish into adjacent areas.