Viña del Mar, October 6 (RHC-AFP)-- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Monday that the United States and Cuba are discussing a joint maritime reserve in waters between the two countries.

Kerry made the comments in Chile, where he attended the "Our Ocean" conference. At the conference, several countries and foundations announced new efforts to preserve the marine environment and fisheries.

AFP reports that the United States had already unveiled two new marine reserves on its own territory at the conference, when Secretary Kerry revealed that another may be the fruit of the U.S. rapprochement with Cuba.

"We are also working to finalize a new sister marine protected area arrangement with Cuba to connect protected sides in our two countries, so we can better collaborate on scientific research, education, and sound management," he said.

Kerry did not give details on where the reserve would be, but there are barely 145km of shallow tropical waters between Cuba's northern shore and the U.S. state of Florida.

Talks on the reserve will form part of the ongoing process of renewing Cuban and U.S. ties. Kerry said he hoped to visit Cuba in late January next year to pursue the dialogue.