Fabián Pina Amargós, Ph.D.

Research

Fabián Pina Amargós is a professor of protected areas at the Center for Marine Research of the University of Havana and an environmental consultant with Avalon Diving operations in Cuba. Amargós’ Pew fellowship focused on the conservation of goliath grouper populations in Cuba. It was the first presented for research in Cuba and was conducted under a license from the U.S. Treasury Department. The project conducted research to establish important scientific information and better management recommendations for goliath grouper in Cuba, the Caribbean, and the Gulf of Mexico. Goliath grouper, which often weigh 400 pounds at maturity, began to decline in the 1960s after increased fishing in spawning grounds and overfishing of adult grouper. Today, the fish are presumably overexploited in Cuba. Over the course of three years, Amargós gathered scientific data on the fish, using underwater surveys and ultrasonic tags. He studied their growth and diet, and collected data on how many are caught. He used the information to promote conservation efforts for the goliath grouper nationally, with a focus on southeastern Cuba. Through an international exchange, the research has also assisted other scientists working to protect goliath grouper by providing data for the broader Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico ecosystems.