Government Contacts & Information Resources for
Commercial Fishing, Seafood, Aquaculture, Marine & Oceans in Cuba

Fishery and Aquaculture Country Profile for Cuba - aquatic species caught by country or area, by species items, by FAO major fishing areas, and year, for all commercial, industrial, recreational and subsistence purposes. The harvest from mariculture, aquaculture and other kinds of fish farming is also included.

AQUASTAT is FAO's global information system on water and agriculture developed by the Land and Water Division. It collects, analyses and disseminates data and information by country and by region. Its aim is to provide users interested in global, regional and national analyses with comprehensive information related to water resources and agricultural water management across the world, with emphasis on countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. Information for Cuba

About Large Pelagic Fishing in Cuba:

The pelagic fishing fleet in Cuba has been reduced over the last 10 years. At present 42 vessels are dedicated to pole and line and longline fishing, targeting pelagic fish species such as: skipjack, blackfin tuna, yellowfin tuna, white marlin, sailfish, and the common dolphinfish. The gears used in targeting the large pelagic species are the pole and line and the surface longline with as many as 500 hooks. At least 19 of the vessels described above are used specifically to engage in longlining.

Data from the large pelagic species fisheries is collected via a sampling plan in all fishing ports. This system records data by species, effort, boats, gear and area fished. Part of the catch from the smaller tunas is canned for export, while the balance is sold in the local markets. Cuba has no management regulations for large pelagic fish species generally, except that there are prohibitions on landings of skipjack and blackfin tunas below 30 centimetres fork length