Tampa, August 6 (RHC)-- The Florida Aquarium in Tampa has entered into a partnership with the National Aquarium in Havana, the first time aquariums from the two nations have ever done so, the Associated Press reported on Thursday.

The Florida Aquarium announced this week the partnership will initially focus on coral reefs.

The Tampa facility is a leader in researching ways to restore the reefs, which are dying the world over. Havana's National Aquarium has access to the most pristine coral reefs in the world.

Havana's National Aquarium will learn how the Florida Aquarium is growing coral in a controlled setting in case Cuba's reefs one day meet the same dark fate as those off the shores of the Sunshine State. Aquarium officials will meet for the first time in the fall.