Manatí Bay is in a good state of conservation, according to specialists from the Science and Technology Division of the Fisheries Research Center, who visited it as part of a sectoral project to evaluate areas of interest for aquaculture and fishing.

Las Tunas, Cuba.- Researcher Gustavo Arencibia Carballo, in charge of the project, said that samples were taken of sediments, water, and waste from the port's Base Business Unit, which has low production but discharges its waste into the sea. So far it is an impact that can be assimilated naturally.

"We are pleased to monitor it because it is an area of interest to us and we have found positive results. In addition, there is synergy with the International Ecovalor Project, which is run by the National Center for Protected Areas and attends to the baseline of the bay and the oyster park.

"We evaluated the mangrove area to know if the affected area is increasing or not and we were able to appreciate that it has healed, which favors the procreation of several species. We learned that the breeding of oysters is progressing, qualified among the best in Cuba."

Arencibia Carballo added that, as part of the project, they intervene in the municipalities of Manatí and Puerto Padre - in addition to Pescatun - to promote the creation of other actions that can bring benefits to the entity, from the economic point of view and for the feeding of the people.

"That is why we took advantage of this visit and socialized some of the knowledge we have through conferences on different topics, always trying to broaden visions and encourage science to be applied to food production."

The renowned scientist explained that the country's fishing development has immediate challenges, but that they must be tackled with a different vision and that the political and governmental direction is betting on it, with priority for training and dissemination of expert studies.

"The marine environment must be conserved so that it is sustainable over time, and in coastal areas, some products that generate important economic results can be achieved. For example, it could be very profitable in Puerto Manatí, a place without many employment options.
"There we could teach the fishermen to make culture tanks and they would provide several tons of fish in their backyards. It's a pity that Manatí, a large bay in such good condition, is not being fully exploited."