In the midst of the deep food crisis facing Cuba, President Miguel Díaz-Canel visited the Base Business Unit ACUIPASO, located in the municipality of Bartolomé Masó, Granma province, where clarias and other freshwater species are bred as part of the regime's efforts to promote aquaculture.
Accompanied by Roberto Morales Ojeda, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party, and by the highest provincial authorities, Díaz-Canel toured the facilities of the center, which is part of a state program to strengthen the production of alternative foods in light of the shortage of basic products, as published on Facebook by the General Directorate of Education, Bartolomé Masó Márquez, Granma.
ACUIPASO is one of the entities responsible for producing fish such as catfish, a species introduced in Cuba due to its resilience and rapid growth, but also controversial because of its ecological impact.
The visit is part of a government strategy to highlight productive projects in various provinces at a time when the population is facing severe difficulties in accessing food due to inflation, a decline in imports, and the deterioration of the national production system.
Despite the push for these types of initiatives, experts and citizens have questioned their real impact in the short term, due to structural problems, a lack of resources, and a limited distribution of products to the general population.
Since 2022, as part of its many goals, the Cuban government aims to increase fish consumption by 2030 through aquaculture. In fact, in 2023, an executive proposed that families raise fish in ponds built in their neighborhoods as a way to improve nutrition.
That same year, a Cuban in the Pinar del Río municipality of Consolación del Sur started raising fish in a small puddle created on what appears to be his farm, local authorities reported.
According to the latest statistics, Sancti Spíritus contributes nearly 30% of the freshwater fish caught in Cuba, and in 2024, it exceeded 3,000 tons; however, the food is hardly seen in retail markets or on the tables of its residents, just as is the case throughout the country.
While the population questions why fish is not sold regularly, or disappears as soon as it arrives, the authorities claim that it is indeed being distributed, but the demand is so high that it sells out immediately.
Frequently asked questions about the food crisis in Cuba and aquaculture as a solution
What is the current situation of fish production in Cuba?
The aquaculture sector in Cuba, as part of the government's strategies to address the food crisis, has experienced growth in fish production. Sancti Spíritus, for example, contributes about 30% of the freshwater fish caught in the country. However, the availability of fish in the markets remains limited, which causes the product to not reach the Cuban population regularly.
Why is fish production not reflected on the tables of Cubans?
Despite efforts to increase fish production, distribution is limited and demand is so high that the product runs out quickly. Additionally, illegal fishing and the lack of resources for effective distribution worsen the situation, making fish barely present in retail markets and on the tables of Cubans.
What impact does the introduction of species like the claria have on the Cuban ecosystem?
The catfish, introduced in Cuba for its resilience and rapid growth, is a controversial species due to its ecological impact. While it is regarded as a solution to increase fish production, its presence can disrupt local ecosystems and pose a risk to native species.
What solutions are the Cuban authorities proposing to improve access to food?
The Cuban government is promoting aquaculture and fish farming in ponds as an alternative to improve nutrition. Programs for cultivating fish in cages in rivers or streams and the use of freshwater tanks in rural areas have also been proposed. However, these solutions face structural and resource challenges that limit their short-term effectiveness.
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