As the red snapper season unfolds, a crucial time for fishing in the municipality of Niquero, Granma, local fishing activities have come to a near standstill. The root causes of this disruption are persistent power outages and a severe lack of ice production, essential for preserving catches and keeping the fleet operational. To date, only seven tons of red snapper have been delivered—less than a quarter of the 30 tons initially planned for the campaign.
"In recent days, low ice production has primarily hindered the eight boats designated for this season's fishing, while the main culprit remains the ongoing power interruptions," reported the official newspaper La Demajagua. The outlet highlighted that April, May, and June have historically provided the highest volumes of premium species captures, coinciding with the red snapper run.
Despite these challenges, Jorge Luis Torres Anaya, Fleet Chief at the Niquero Fishing Company, expressed hope for increasing catches by June, the last phase of the campaign, "if the basic necessary conditions are met." Yet, the final destination of these catches remains unspecified. Amid a significant food shortage affecting the populace, fish is rarely available in the state-run retail network, leaving little to reach Cuban tables.
Interestingly, various fish species are available on Cuban e-commerce platforms. Red snapper, in particular, is priced between $12 and $14 per kilogram. One online store offers the fish at $3.35 per kilogram, with delivery limited to the city of Bayamo.
This situation underscores a persistent contradiction in the country: while authorities frequently emphasize food sovereignty and the strategic importance of the food sector, basic resources for the fishing industry remain unguaranteed. Neither solutions nor clear strategies are evident; instead, the official press perpetuates the usual voluntaristic rhetoric that "the seafarers maintain their strong work spirit and commitment to their tasks, as always," while daily, tons of food are lost at sea, never reaching the Cuban populace.
The current energy crisis in Cuba has led to severe power outages across most of the country, with cuts lasting over 20 hours, affecting both residential and industrial sectors. The shortage of fuel and electricity cripples fishing operations and industry functions, severely limiting fish capture and production.
Authorities have acknowledged that Cuba's fishing production is further constrained by resource deficits, a lack of boats and equipment, and issues of poaching and illegal activities, among others. Despite these limitations, they note that at least 15% of production is allocated to tourism, with a significant portion earmarked for export to generate foreign revenue, thus reducing the fish available for domestic consumption.
In 2023, the government stated, "Cuba is a country surrounded by sea, yet its waters do not have the levels of fish required to meet the population's demands." This statement has led to frustration among countless citizens who argue that eating fish in Cuba remains a privilege for the few, despite its island status.
Recently, it came to light that the fishing production in Cuba's largest reservoir, the Zaza Dam in Sancti Spíritus, is undergoing a severe crisis: fish are scarce, plans are unmet, and authorities have blamed bad weather and the poor "manifestation" of species like cyprinids (carp). Although the province leads aquaculture in Cuba, its fish markets are empty, with local leaders claiming that fish is distributed but demand is so high it sells out immediately.
Challenges Facing Cuba's Fishing Industry
What are the main factors hindering fishing in Niquero, Granma?
The main factors impeding fishing in Niquero, Granma include persistent power outages and a lack of ice production, both essential for preserving catches and maintaining fleet operations.
How does the energy crisis in Cuba affect the fishing industry?
Cuba's energy crisis results in prolonged power outages and a lack of fuel, severely affecting both residential and industrial sectors, including fishing operations, which limits fish capture and production.
Why is fish consumption limited in Cuba despite its island status?
Although Cuba is surrounded by sea, its waters do not have sufficient fish to meet demand, compounded by resource limitations, a focus on tourism and exports, and the lack of available fish in state-run retail networks.