Two unusual events surprised experts from CITMA and divers in Jardines de la Reina: a loggerhead turtle nested in broad daylight and a shark was recorded sleeping on the seafloor.
The Minister of Science, Technology, and Environment of Cuba (CITMA), Armando Rodríguez Batista, shared two videos on his social media that show unusual behaviors of marine life in the Jardines de la Reina archipelago, located in the south of the country.
In the first video, Rodríguez Batista described the scene of a hawksbill turtle returning to the sea at 10:40 in the morning, after nesting on a beach south of Cayo Caballones, as "peculiar."
"Generally, sea turtles nest at night," the minister explained, highlighting that this behavior is "unusual in Cuba due to the timing."
The material was recorded by Yosmel Frigola (Bemba) and shared by Noel López Fernández, the head of the diving center at Jardines de la Reina, who provided the images to CITMA.
This archipelago, composed of over 660 cays, is one of the most important marine protected areas in the Caribbean and a natural sanctuary for turtles, sharks, and corals.
In a second video, the minister showcased another surprising moment: a bull shark (Carcharhinus perezi) resting on the seabed, beneath a coral formation known as "Patricia", at a depth of 24 meters.
The animal remained still, with its mouth slightly open, pumping water through its gills to breathe.
The diver Noel López Fernández, an underwater photographer and head of the diving center, explained that this behavior is not typical among sharks in Cuban waters.
"Previously, it was believed that only a few species had the ability to remain still on the bottom, but it has now been confirmed that this also occurs in other species," he commented.
The expert added that this phenomenon has already been observed in Cuba at Cayo Largo del Sur, near Cayo Caimán Grande de Santa María in Villa Clara, and in Jardines de la Reina, where such observations reinforce the significance of the area as a natural laboratory for marine research.
Rodríguez Batista celebrated the images as a demonstration of the wealth and diversity of the Cuban ecosystem.
"They are facts that confirm the scientific and environmental value of our seas," the minister stated, highlighting the work of the divers and scientists who monitor these conservation areas.
In October, scientists confirmed the sighting of manatees in the Treasure Lagoon, Zapata Swamp, Matanzas, a discovery that rekindles hope for conservation efforts in Cuba.
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