GENERAL COMMENTS ON SPECIES INVENTORY, FISHERIES, CULTURE AND SOME COMMUNITY FEATURES OF THE PORIFERA IN CUBA

Abstract

Up to now, 255 species have been reported in Cuba. Confirmed commercial species existing in Cuba are Hippospongia lachne, Spongia obscura, S. pertusa, S. barbara and S. graminea. The species Spongia obliqua and S. tubulifera are still considered here as dubious records. Since 1959 to 2000, national commercial sponge extraction varied between 7.5 tons (1966) and 63 tons (1996), with an annual average of 42.4 tons. However, the highest average annual sponge production in Cuba was reported in the period 1920-1929 (500 tons). Hippospongia lachne has been historically the main commercial sponge in the Golfo de Batabanó (southwest of Cuba) till 1994, when it began to be substituted by a group of species of Spongia. However, Spongia species always dominated fisheries in the north central part of Cuba. Pilot experiences on sponge culture in Cuba (using horizontally suspended lines on sea grass beds) have been successful, but not implemented as a well-established economic activity. Commercial sizes (15 cm in diameter) were attained after 18 months and faster growth rates were observed at the line level closest to the bottom (approximately 40 cm from the bottom). Most dominant sponge species for the most outstanding marine habitats of Cuba are given, as well as for a situation of pollution around Havana City. As expected, highest sponge diversity were found in coral reefs and inshore hard grounds. The highest values of community heterogeneity H’ (very close to 3.5 natural bells) were found in the coral reefs of Cayo Esquivel (Archipelago Sabana-Camagüey) and Rincón de Guanabo (east of Havana City), in both cases at 20 m depth.