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Research Article Volume 15 Issue 1
Risk perception of Ciguatera in the fishing village of Cojímar, Havana, Cuba
María Karla Gutierrez Chica, Gustavo Arencibia-Carballo, ² ME Lenny Gabriela Avila Ramírez³
Received: March 25, 2026 | Published: April 8, 2026
Citation: Chica MKG, Arencibia-Carballo G, Ramírez MELGA. Risk perception of Ciguatera in the fishing village of Cojímar, Havana, Cuba. J Aquac Mar Biol. 2026;15(1):57-62. DOI: 10.15406/jamb.2026.15.00441
Abstract
This study aims to assess the risk perception associated with Ciguatera and the level ofimpact of this food poisoning in the town of Cojímar, located in the municipality of Habana del Este, Havana province, Cuba, during the second quarter of 2024. Cojímar is characterized as a fishing village, situated at coordinates 23⁰09’47” N and 82⁰17’38” W. It has a population of 20,390 inhabitants and covers an area of 4.2 km². The study reveals that 89% of respondents are aware of the basic aspects of the poisoning, including its symptoms, treatment, and diagnostic methods. The most frequently mentioned symptoms were gastrointestinal (emesis and liquid stools) and muscle pain. Most subjects were unaware of which fish species caused their Ciguatera episode or the case described during the survey, and only 34% were diagnosed by authorized medical personnel. Among the species with the highest incidence, the Barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda), the Horse-eye Jack (Caranx latus), and the Yellow Jack (Caranx bartholomaei) were reported, mostly caught locally by fishermen and consumed despite awareness of the risk of Ciguatera. Statistical analysis shows that men are more likely to experience paresthesia during the illness.
Keywords: Ciguatera, polls, intoxication, epidemiology, recreational fishing
©2026 Chica, et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and build upon your work non-commercially.