Of these, 29 are listed as”critically endangered”
14ymedio (via EFE), Havana, 30 August 2025 — A study by a team of 30 Cuban scientists identified 108 marine species in the country at risk of extinction, of which 29 are listed as “critical endangered,” reported the state press on Saturday.
Corals lead the species in being “critically endangered,” followed by sharks, rays, bony fish and turtles, according to the project Threatened Marine Species in Cuba, coordinated by the Institute of Marine Sciences of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment.
The results of the initiative, published in the State newspaper Granma, warn that of the total threatened, 26 are categorized as “endangered” and 53 as “vulnerable.” As for mangroves, seagrasses, macroalgae, sponges and molluscs, although none was assessed as threatened by international criteria, 25 species were categorized under a preliminary threat criterion,” the report added.
The research involved 30 marine biologists from various Cuban institutions and was carried out between January 2021 and December 2024. The information gathered will serve as a basis for the Red Book of Marine Species in Cuba, which is expected to be published by the end of 2026, according to the official press.
The research involved 30 marine biologists from various Cuban institutions and was carried out between January 2021 and December 2024
The loss of biodiversity is the main environmental problem in Cuba and is related to pollution, the use of unsustainable production practices, poaching, illegal trade and the introduction and spread of alien and invasive species, according to the study. Of the approximately 36,700 listed species, 35% are threatened with extinction, and it is estimated that up to 75% of mammals could disappear. Plants are also severely affected: 580 plant species are critically endangered, along with 16 amphibian species. In addition, 70% of amphibians, of which 71 species (94% endemic) identified on the island, are threatened.
This deterioration is mainly due to illegal hunting, intensive agriculture, mining, deforestation and pollution, which has eroded natural habitats and drastically reduced local fauna. However, the attention of the State also plays an essential part in a context of economic crisis, in which tourist enjoyment is prioritized over the protection of natural reserves.
Translated by Regina Anavy
____________
COLLABORATE WITH OUR WORK: The 14ymedio team is committed to practicing serious journalism that reflects Cuba’s reality in all its depth. Thank you for joining us on this long journey. We invite you to continue supporting us by becoming a member of 14ymedio now. Together we can continue transforming journalism in Cuba.