Improving the management and protection of marine biodiversity in the Gulf of Guacanayabo, Cuba To contribute to the conservation of marine biodiversity through sustainable management of fisheries resources and other marine-coastal resources of the Gulf of Guacanayabo, incorporating the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries and Aquaculture (EAFA). Note: Disbursement data provided is cumulative and covers disbursement made by the project Agency. 210. The Project will address urgent issues to support fisheries management through participatory and sustainable management of marine resources in the Gulf of Guacanayabo. At the same time, the Project contributes to the improvement of local economic and social conditions, reducing the pressure on critical fishery resources. Greater food security and generation of employment and income, with a gender perspective, are expected for resource-dependent communities, based on the sustainable management of ecosystems, and the commercialization of biodiversity products.The Project will also improve the provision of other goods and services, which will provide the main economic incentive for these communities, individually and collectively, to conserve biodiversity and optimize ecosystem services.   211. The Project will adopt a comprehensive approach for the conservation of marine biodiversity, recognizing that the food and income needs of the communities that depend on these resources must be balanced with adequate and sustainable conservation measures. The Project will promote territorial economic diversification and expansion through the diversification of fisheries, the introduction of low-impact aquaculture and the commercial use of by-products from the fishing industry, to stimulate value chains integrated with marine resources, benefiting communities whose livelihoods depend on the Gulf. Taken together, this will provide the main economic incentive for these communities, individually and collectively, to conserve biodiversity and ecosystem services.  212. In addressing the barriers described above, the main expected global benefits to be created include:  a) A strengthened strategic and regulatory framework at the local level, based on updated knowledge and the introduction of EAFA practices, which will impact favourably on national policies related to the conservation of marine biodiversityand the sustainable management of fishing resouerces. It will also lead to institutional strengthening of the bodies responsible for oversight and monitoring.  b)  The incorporation of 74,432 hectares of marine habitat under improved fishing practices, including the conservation of relevant biodiversity worldwide. A total of 1,025 tons of currently over-exploited fisheries resources will be moved to sustainable levels, and all of this will directly benefit 43,485 thousand people, 20,125 women and 23,360 men.  c) In this way, global environmental benefits (GEB) for biodiversity will be achieved, but collateral benefits are also expected in adaptation to climate change and the sustainable management of marine-coastal ecosystems. This will result from the synergistic implementation of short-term community-based marine resource management initiatives and the added long-term impacts of new Project-funded initiatives.  d) The creation of at least 50 new jobs, with an estimated increase of 25% in employment ofwomen. It is also estimated that threenew products will improve the value chain of fish production.  e) By creating these global benefits, the Project will contribute to the environmental, social and economic sustainability of fishing and related livelihoods in the areas of intervention. Through participatory approaches, livelihood enhancement and diversification, and gender consideration, benefits will increase in coastal populations - now and in the future.