In modern-day Cuba, the sea no longer represents the freedom and grandeur it once did for the old man Santiago in Ernest Hemingway's "The Old Man and the Sea."
For Cuban fishermen, the ocean has become a battleground where they contend not only with the might of the waves but also with the state's grip over every catch.
Mandated by law to hand over the majority of their catch to the state, many fishermen report enduring long waits for payments that barely cover basic living expenses, according to Cubanet.
Fishermen from Cienfuegos province shared with this independent outlet that low wages, delays, and the looming threat of fines or confiscations are part of a vicious cycle, trapping them in a state of deprivation.
"A fisherman's life is hard, it's rough. After all my efforts, after all I've caught, I have nothing left," shares Modesto, a retired fisherman from Cienfuegos.
"After more than 50 years at sea, they gave me a pension of just 1,543 pesos. I started going to sea at 13. We used to deliver 150,000 tons of fish in 15 days, risking our lives among sharks weighing 3,000 to 4,000 pounds. It's painful," he stated, tears welling up.
Like Modesto, thousands of fishermen today face a reality far removed from heroism.
Their boats are aging, engines malfunction, and fuel—when available—costs more than a day's pay. If they attempt to sell some of their catch independently, state inspectors can impose hefty penalties or even seize their boats.
Between 2023 and 2024, Cuban authorities penalized thousands of fishermen and seized over 87 tons of fish products, along with imposing fines exceeding 7 million pesos, as per official reports.
"We deliver the fish and then wait two or three months for payment," remarks another fisherman from Cienfuegos.
On the country's docks, where nets dry under the sun and boats rust away, seamen continue to dream of fair compensation, of fishing for themselves once more.
Meanwhile, Cuban households rarely see fish on their tables. The government attributes low production to the supposed "depletion of the seas surrounding the island."
In 2023, Mydalis Naranjo Blanco, Deputy Minister of the Food Industry, stated on the government-run program "Mesa Redonda" that the scarcity of fish in stores was due to a lack of fish in Cuban waters.
It's also reported that lobsters are fleeing Cuban waters, which many believe is merely a ploy by the regime to continue exporting lobsters under the radar.
Understanding the Challenges Facing Cuban Fishermen
What challenges do Cuban fishermen face?
Cuban fishermen face numerous challenges, including state control over their catches, delayed payments, low wages, and the threat of fines or confiscations if they attempt to sell fish independently.
Why is there a scarcity of fish in Cuban markets?
The Cuban government claims that the scarcity of fish in markets is due to the depletion of fish stocks in the surrounding seas, although some suspect this is used as a cover to prioritize exports.