Havana, October 25 (RHC-acn) -- U.S. directors with the Florida Aquarium paid a working visit this week to Cuba to consider joint efforts with the island´s National Aquarium in the research on coral reefs.

“This trip and the exchange of information went beyond my expectations,” said Margo McKnight, deputy president for Biological Resources at the Florida Aquarium, according to the Tampa Tribune newspaper.

McKnight said they had a fruitful exchange of information with their Cuban counterparts and they agreed to work together, though they did not sign any official accord. The meeting focused on cooperation for research aimed at the restoration of coral reefs, which are endangered by pollution and the change of sea temperature levels.

Florida's coral reefs are vanishing at an alarming pace, while Cuba preserves the most pristine reefs of the world to the south of the provinces of Ciego de Avila and Camaguey, to the east of the island, which is called Gardens of the Queen, the expert said.