Scientists in the US are collaborating with their counterparts in Cuba on research that could reverse the deterioration of coral reefs, prevent overfishing, and lead to better understanding of the gulf ecosystem. But Florida scientists at public universities? No. Not allowed. This work could benefit Florida because ecosystems of Cuba and the US are connected, obviously. Scientists say that in order to understand our own ecosystem, we need to understand Cubas. And Cuban scientists are ready and willing. Like all employees of Floridas public universities, scientists are prohibited by a law passed in 2006 from using state money for travel to Cuba. More than most scientists, though, marine biologists see access to the communist island nation just 90 miles of Floridas shores as the difference between success and failure in their field. Now, theyre being left further behind as researchers from other states and from private institutions in Florida scramble to take advantage of new signs that Cuba relations are improving: an easing of travel restrictions by the White House, an agreement to cooperate in oil spills, even a tour by the University of Tampa baseball team.
Posted on: Sat, 15 Feb 2014 17:31:21 +0000
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