Cuban scientists were able to halt coastal erosion in parts of Bariay Key, in the eastern province of Holguín, whose sands were the first that Christopher Columbus stepped on when he reached the island more than 500 years ago. The conservation program is the work of experts from the coastal investment unit of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment, to protect Cuba's northeastern shoreline.

The unit, created in 1999, has spent five million dollars on programs to protect coastal ecosystems from natural phenomena, like erosion, and from the impacts of human activities.

Located 800 km from Havana, Holguín province is the Caribbean island's third leading tourist destination.