Cuban Fishermen Celebrate Successful Day Near Havana's Malecón

A group of Cuban fishermen recently had a remarkable day at sea near the iconic Malecón in Havana, capturing a shark weighing over 250 pounds along with four fish known locally as “Castero” or “Emperor.” The impressive catch, shared with journalist Mario Vallejo, has sparked amazement and a flurry of comments on social media, highlighting once more the challenging food situation facing the Cuban people.

“It was unbelievable; we didn’t expect to find this so close to the shore,” expressed one of the fishermen. Proudly displaying their haul on the Malecón's sidewalk, they drew the attention and admiration of passersby. For many, this catch symbolizes a rare opportunity for a substantial meal, something that, as several commenters noted, “has almost become a distant memory in Cuban households.”

The post ignited a wave of reactions, mostly praising the fishermen for their hard work, while others criticized the government's inability to supply fish to the population despite Cuba being an island nation. Comments like “Many blessings to them, the sea is treacherous, and their families worry every time they go out” and “This helps with rice and beans. Let's help each other; that’s the spirit” were common. Some expressed the irony that in an island nation, fish is a luxury. “Do they not say that Cuba's surrounding seas lack fish?” one user questioned, referencing government justifications for the fish shortage.

Another commentator noted sarcastically, “Three fishermen in a small boat achieve what the government cannot with a fleet,” highlighting widespread perceptions of state inefficiency. Concerns also arose about potential penalties for the fishermen, with advice to keep a low profile to avoid confiscation of their catch.

The Island Without Fish

In September of the previous year, directors from Cuba’s Fishing Enterprise Group explained on the official Mesa Redonda program why they couldn’t provide enough fish for the population. The reasons included:

• Resource Deficit: The group struggles with a lack of foreign currency, hindering the acquisition of necessary raw materials and equipment for fishing and processing.
• Energy Issues: Limited fuel and electricity disrupt fishing operations and industrial functioning, restricting fish capture and production.
• Lack of Boats and Equipment: Deterioration and shortage of suitable vessels, along with outdated industrial equipment, limit fishing capabilities.
• Priority to Other Sectors: Although 71% of industrial production targets the population, 15% is allocated to tourism, with a significant portion for export, leaving less fish for local consumption.
• Illegal Fishing and Violations: Unregulated fishing negatively impacts organized production and distribution.

Much like the housing construction, sugar production, and agriculture sectors, the fishing industry in Cuba fails to meet production targets. Ironically, export plans, especially for lobsters and shrimp, are consistently met. So far this year, they have exceeded 95% of their targets, generating higher revenue than the previous year. The limited resources in the sector are directed towards exports to earn foreign income, but these profits do not translate into increased productivity, leaving Cuban fish markets empty for decades.

In 2023, the government stated, “Cuba is a country surrounded by the sea, yet the waters do not have the fish levels needed to meet the population's demand.” The then Minister of Food Industry, Manuel Sobrino Martínez, attributed the fish scarcity partly to over 60 idle boats. Sobrino was dismissed in early 2024 but is remembered for his explanation of why many Cubans have never tasted lobster. “If we indulge in eating lobster and shrimp, children won’t have milk,” he remarked on the Mesa Redonda program in 2020.