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The Geographical Review October 1997, Vol. 87 (4), pp. 484-503 The Spiny-Lobster Fishery in Cuba Ian T. Joyce Retrieving a lobster trap fromBuena Vista Bay, on the Northeast Shelf off Cuba, August 1993. Photograph by Author. ABSTRACT: The spiny-lobster fishery, the most valuable fishery in Cuba, is unique among those in major lobster-producing countries because of its combination of strong central control and absence of standardization and mechanization in fishing gear. Cooperation rather competition among fishing vessels is promoted by exclusive fishing zones and fleet organization. These measures, along with the use of storage centers, simple vessels, and inexpensively constructed fishing gear, have promoted spatial rationality and cost reduction in the fishery and made it one of the most successful spiny-lobster fisheries in the world. Keywords: Cuba, fisheries, socialism, spiny lobster Dr. JOYCE is an instructor of geography at Douglas College, New Westminster, Canada. To contact the author: Dr. Ian T. Joyce Department of Geography P.O. Box 2503 Douglas College New Westminster B.C. Canada V3L5B2 Phone: (604) 527-5305, (604) 527-5095 fax Email: ian_joyce@sfu.edu