Cuba's Fishing Production Halved, Limiting Seafood Access for...

Qué pasó

The production of fish and seafood in Cuba has seen a drastic decline, falling by more than half between 2020 and 2024. This sharp reduction means less access to a food source that was once a staple for many Cuban families.

Specifically, gross catches of fish and seafood dropped from 46,386.5 tons in 2020 to 22,330.6 tons in 2024. The production of fish alone decreased from 35,148.8 to 18,064.7 tons during the same period.

Dónde y cuándo

These statistics reflect the period from 2020 to 2024 across Cuba. The decline is evident in the capture of various species. For instance, in 2024, Cuba produced only 220.2 tons of snapper, 317.2 tons of tuna, and minimal amounts of other popular fish like bonito and cobia.

High-value products have also been affected. Lobster production fell from 4,224.8 tons in 2022 to 2,016.3 tons in 2024. Even more striking is the drop in sea shrimp, from 426 tons in 2023 to just 4.6 tons in 2024.

Por qué es importante

This decline in production directly impacts consumers. Fish, once a regular part of many diets, has become difficult to obtain and expensive in markets. This situation poses nutritional challenges, as seafood is a key source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals.

Cuba, with its extensive coastline, faces a paradox: despite abundant marine resources, fishing output has decreased, severely limiting the population's access to this vital food source.

Qué dicen las partes

According to an analysis by the Food Monitor Program using official statistics, the deterioration is evident. Aquaculture efforts have also fallen short, with tilapia production dropping from 2,153.7 tons in 2020 to 790.3 tons in 2024, and claria production plummeting from 4,428.3 to 329.1 tons.

The government and relevant institutions acknowledge these issues, which are exacerbated by logistical problems. These include shortages of fuel, ice, and refrigeration systems, further complicated by frequent power outages.

Qué viene ahora

The lack of essential resources for fishing activities, such as boats, engines, and fuel, continues to hamper the sector. Consumers will likely face continued limited access and high prices for fish and seafood.

Moving forward, Cuba needs to address these systemic issues in its fishing industry. Improving infrastructure, ensuring resource availability, and enhancing distribution networks will be crucial to reversing this trend and restoring access to seafood for its population.