ABSTRACT:In the period 1986-2004, 238 common bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus were exported from Cuba, as shown by UNEP/WCMC data, more than 60% of these to facilities in Latin America and the Caribbean, some 32% to Europe and the rest to Canada and Israel. There is a very significant increase in exported numbers, reaching 28 individuals per annum in 2002. It is unclear how many T. truncatus have been used in domestic dolphinaria. A review of available information did not identify evidence to corroborate hypotheses that: (i) T. truncatus off Sabana-Camagüey Archipelago (where removals occur) does not show population structure; and (ii) virtually no bycatches occur in Cuban waters. Here it is argued that, considering Cuba's fully developed marine fisheries, some level of mortality from bycatch is inevitable. Other potential threats are also identified. Global phylogenetics research of T. truncatus is revealing unexpected and more complex, stock structures, in inshore (coastal) forms within relatively small areas. In Cuba, low mean group sizes (less than 10) suggest that one or more coastal stock(s) are exploited. Sex distribution of measured specimens suggest a significant bias towards extraction of females. It is concluded that sustainability of harvest levels of Cuban T. truncatus cannot be evaluated until abundance estimates become available and population structure is verified by molecular genetic methods. Pérez-Cao (2004) indicated that available density estimates should not be used to determine [safe] catch quotas. The authors strongly recommend that international trade of T. truncatus from Cuba ceases until no-detriment can be authenticated and that more research be developed. Similar arguments may be applicable to other unassessed but exploited populations in the Wider Caribbean. RESUMEN:En el período 1986-2004, según datos obtenidos de PNUMA/WCMC, 238 delfines mular común Tursiops truncatus fueron exportados de Cuba; más del 60% de éstos hacia acuarios en América Latina y el Caribe, unos 32% a Europa y el resto hacia Canadá e Israel. Se distingue un aumento muy significativo en los números exportados, hasta 28 individuos per annum (en 2002). No hay información sobre el número de T. truncatus usados en acuarios domésticos en Cuba. Tras una revisión de la información disponible, no se encontraron evidencias para corroborar las hipótesis sugeridas que: (i) T. truncatus en el Archipiélago de Sabana-Camagüey (donde ocurre la explotación) no se presenta estructura de población y (ii) que virtualmente no ocurre ninguna captura accidental. Argumentamos que, considerando una pesquería marina plenamente desarrollada en Cuba, es inevitable algún nivel de capturas accidentales, y se identifica otras posibles amenazas. La investigación filogenética en T. truncatus, a nivel global, revela inesperada estructura o estructuras de stocks más complejas en la forma costera. Grupos de menor tamaño (menos de 10 indivíduos) sugieren que uno (o más) stocks costeros son explotados en Cuba. Distribución de frecuencia de sex...

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