Goliath Grouper

Protected for more than three decades, the Gardens of the Queen in Cuba are often referred to as one of the Crown Jewels of the Caribbean. It’s one of the few places you can see untouched, intact, and healthy mangroves, seagrass and coral reef ecosystems living in harmony.

Mangroves serve as a home for a range of species, including a crocodile named Gusto, who everyone calls Tito.

Mangroves not only provide shelter and nutrients to hundreds of species. These trees are also an efficient and affordable solution for reducing carbon in the atmosphere, sequestering it in their roots deep in the ocean floor.

The team at Blue Ventures gives us the lowdown on mangroves, the aquatic trees that support coastal communities and an incredible diversity of life. With deforestation of mangroves taking place at an unprecedented rate, conservation projects like Tahiry Honko in Madagascar have never been more important. Footage for this video provided by: Chris Scarffe / Blue Ventures.