  This paper aims at contributing to the coastal environmental management by
developing a new trophic status index of the water (TSIW). The index is
tailored to semi-enclosed bays with estuarine characteristic like the
Cienfuegos bay in Cuba. We also propose pressure indicators related to
exporting and assimilation capacities as a tool to assess the vulnerability of
the system to eutrophication. The TSIW is based on response indicators to
eutrophication processes showing correspondence with the predefined pressure
indicators and previous reports on water quality. Thus, the proposed trophic
status index is a reliable scientific tool to measure the current stage of the
water quality and to establish a baseline for further studies.
