Cuba expands her aquaculture industry

Abstract

Despite a thriving deep-sea and coastal fishery and high per capita fish consumption in Cuba, aquaculture is relatively undeveloped and will therefore be a target for future expansion following the impact of other nations' new economic zones on the fisheries. Two main areas for expansion exist: the freshwater dams and reservoirs, and the extensive mangrove belt around Cuba, which together have a potential annual production of 50 to 100 thousand tons of fish. At present, stocking programmes are concentrated on tilapia, silver carps, bigheads and grass carps, bass, and oysters; while mullets may be cultivated in brackishwater areas. Cuba has developed a particular interest in the Philippine aquaculture industry owing to the similar climatic conditions of the two countries.