ABSTRACT. Mangrove oysters (Crassostrea rhizophorae) were collected and raised for seven months at four sites (Punta Pargo, Jorobado, Cañete, and Enfermería) around Bahía Sagua La Grande on the north coast of Cuba, to determine which site offered the best conditions for cultivation of this commercially important species. Monthly measurements of oyster height were taken on 30 oysters randomly collected from each study site. Only oysters raised at Punta Pargo and Enfermería reached the mean commercial size (>40 mm) within the study period; these oysters were significantly larger than oysters raised at Cañete and Jorobado. No significant differences in survival between the sites were observed. Punta Pargo and Enfermería showed the best potential for oyster farming in the Bahía de Sagua area. Despite human impact on runoff caused by damming of the adjacent river, water quality remains acceptable for oyster cultivation. With proper stock management and production of selected fast-growing oysters in hatcheries, oyster farming can become an important aquaculture industry in Cuba.

RESUMEN.Se analizaron dos variantes en la producción de ostión de mangle Crassostrea rhizophorae en Cuba: 1) extracción pesquera tradicional (EP) en bancos naturales, apoyada en menor grado con acuicultura artesanal por agregación de colectores de mangle suspendidos en el manglar, y 2) cultivo artesanal (CA), obteniendo semillas del medio natural en colectores de "concha madre", con engorde y cosecha en el mismo colector y en canastas o cajas ostrícolas. Se determinó la factibilidad económico-ambiental de ambas variantes proyectadas a cinco años, a partir del análisis de costo-beneficio económico basado en datos de operación pesquera y se incluyeron costos estimados por daño ambiental. La variante extractiva (EP) mostró una rentabilidad negativa durante el periodo proyectado (US$-1.388,39 en el quinto año), con impacto negativo sobre el ecosistema de manglar. La variante productiva (CA) mostró ganancias a partir del tercer año y una rentabilidad positiva durante el periodo proyectado (US$731,78 al quinto año), con reducción de daños al ecosistema de manglar. De acuerdo a estos resultados, se recomienda desarrollar el cultivo y manejo sustentable de la ostra nativa C. rhizophorae en Cuba. Palabras clave: Crassostrea rhizophorae, ostión de mangle, cultivo, rentabilidad, acuicultura, Cuba. Environmental economic feasibility for sustainable culture of the mangrove oysterCrassostrea rhizophorae (Guilding, 1828), in Cuba ABSTRACT. We analyzed two variants in producing mangrove oyster Crassostrea rhizophorae in Cuba: 1) traditional fishery (EP) at natural beds partially supported by aggregating suspended collectors in the mangrove, and 2) artisanal farming (CA) totally supported by spat from the wild, settled in artificial collectors and "mother shell" strings, farming and harvesting on the same artifact and oyster boxes. We determined the economic and environmental feasibility of both variants projected to a five year period from cost-benefit analysis based on production data. Tax on total income established in Cuba was included, as well as estimated costs for environmental damage. Traditional fishery (EP) presents negative net profit in a five years period (with return value US$-1388.39 at fifth year), as well as being environmentally costly by the negative impact on the mangrove ecosystem. Artisanal farming (CA) provides positive return from the third year and positive net profit (US$731.78 at fifth year), reducing environmental damage to mangrove ecosystem and allowing a substantial increase in oyster production. We recommend actions to achieve aquaculture and sustainable management of the native oyster C. rhizophorae in Cuba.