Chronicle of Cuban Marine Fisheries (1935-1995): Trend Analysis and Fisheries Potential

This paper presents an analysis of trends in Cuban marine fishery resources covering the period of development, as well as the period of greatest expansion, of national marine fisheries. An extended time series offers, for the first time, a comprehensive picture of Cuban fisheries over the last 60 years. A detailed analysis of fishery resources and catch peaks reveals that there is a historical loss of 20 000 tonnes, probably resulting from the combined action of overfishing and changes in the marine ecosystem. Although part of this loss could be recuperated through better management practices, some of the changes brought about might be irreversible.