About
Capt. Manuel Rodriguez-Leston
Perhaps as a tenant of the 3rd floor of “Oquendo” and “Manglar”, in the neighborhood of Pueblo Nuevo (Centro Habana), (he wasn’t 8 years of age yet) he would meticulously clean his aquariums, as luck would have it, he happened to drain a beautiful red colisable. Intrigued by his find, it was evident that his discovery might have set off the curiosity of a lifelong career. Or maybe it was the “yuppies”, “fisheries”, or “guppies” in the “Hoyo de la Vieja” lake behind the Latin American Stadium in the District of “Carraguao”, Rio Almendares. Or the long mandatory stays in the river of “Las Casas” in Isle of Pines, led to the catches of mojarras as a pastime, as it did in “Surgidero de Batabanó”. The truth is that the love of the sea and all that is derived from it, has not abandoned him a single day; although, it must be said that his validation arrived at the wall of “Malecón” and “Lealtad” in Havana (where he later lived), stringing sardines to fish for “Crevalle”.
By then, he had made his very first dictionary made from glossaries he gathered about the sea and fishing, from Mr. Dario Guitar, which years later graced him with the joy of friendship, as well as, Mr. Fernandez Milera. Its passage by the Cuban Federation of Sport Fishing, where he was President in 1992, left deep traces of love, learning, and respect for the art of fishing in the Cuban members. More so, the tournaments in which he participated, some of the awards won are saved to this day with humility and honor, left priceless everlasting memories. Not to forget his meeting at the Podium of 1991 in the Provincial Hemingway with Mr. Gregorio Fuentes.
Now in the United States, he lands in Miami (1992) full of knowledge, and is inspired by what he can bring to this land. Almost immediately in 1993, he passed the auxiliaries of the COAST GUARD course, as he created and founded the Spanish Federation of Sport Fishing in that same year. In 1997, he joins the MIAMI OUTBOARD CLUB (the oldest fishing club in Miami) founded in 1938, where he is a member of the Board of Directors and has been FISHING CHAIRMAN for 16 years to date. Later, in 2007 he founded “MAR y PESCA INTERNACIONAL” with another group of fishing enthusiasts, as the Technical Director and Editor, which lead to the publishing of “Maritime Dictionary/Diccionario Maritimo” in 2009, along with other authors. In that same year he founded “UNIVERSO MARINO”, Radio, TV/Web Page, and Magazine. Through this means, he has participated in numerous international tournaments, won prizes, trophies and honors. Passing through the local radio of Miami, the organization has set a precedent with its “UNIVERSO MARINO” program. His venture into different television programs has gained him the rapport as an expert in different branches of the sea, fishing, and sailing. He has published numerous articles, publications, and posters in different countries at the international level.
Also a member of: International Game Fish Association (IGFA), North American Fishing Club, Member of the Circle Naval Cuban and Silver Anchor of the Association for research and dissemination of the Naval History of Cuba, 100 Ton Captain, UNITED STATES COAST GUARD-certified and Architect/Civil Engineer by profession, with a PhD in Technical Science. Captain Lestón has received a Proclamation from the City of Miami, designating October 22, “Captain Manuel Rodríguez-Lestón’s Day”
Our Mission
STATEMENT OF THE ORGANIZATION’S OBJECTIVES
An organization, which aims to unite all communities, regardless of race, color, creed or nationality even if it is aimed at the Spanish-speaker, because there’s no better competition in this division; not only in South Florida, but perhaps in all the United States and internationally. This is an organization for the families, where the participation of adults, children, elderly, disabled, and their attitudes are reflected to help develop their capacities. We hope to provide knowledge and teach unknown terms of conservation, the protection of the Flora, Fauna and the environment. To educate by fishermen to respect the preservation of species, as in the case of fishing as a sports to increase catch and release, observing and abide by the measures set by our government, both in salt water fishing and in fresh water. We wish to encourage a place where divers become protectors of the marine environment, the corals and reefs, as well as make commercial fishermen aware that their fishing techniques are not at odds with the abuse of funds and the ban or prohibition of species in danger of extinction all this can be done with the disclosure, notices, meetings, licenses, regulations that are needed for the different practices on responsible fishing.
In the tournaments of different species we must preach stricter regulations, including as previously mentioned, catch and release. We believe and declare that while we will be the only ones to know endangered species that our and grandchildren will only get to know by pictures, we are opposed to that. We want to promote fishing, diving, underwater direct hunting in a friendly way so that we can also coexist with sea life.
Working with boating entities, we wish to join efforts for a safe navigation through courses, seminars, brochures, excursions, lectures, panel discussions.
The power of knowledge is necessary in water sports such as surfing, sailing, and even the extreme water sports matter and can benefit from knowing about time, moons, tides, navigation instruments, protection and preservation of life on the water, to cooperate with the competent authorities in the case of climate change, ecology, environment, and ultimately aid in the conservation of the EVERGLADES, the measures that should be observed for all of the up-to-date technology that you must have in a boat when sailing, as well as, the responsibility of the drivers.
We hope to highlight the personalities, report history, books, outstanding works, brochures, posters, artworks, photos, videos, names of species, habitat, characteristics, seafood, fishing, both in English and Spanish.
All this and much more is what we would like to do through UNIVERSO MARINO MAGAZINE, UNIVERSO MARINO RADIO, UNIVERSO MARINO TV, our WEB page www.UNIVERSOMARINOCORP.com, through books, pamphlets, posters, videos, competitions, seminars, courses and also through social networks.
Capt. Manuel Rodriguez-Leston
- President of Universo Marino
- President of the Hispanic Sport Fishing Federation
- Former Editor and Technical Director of Mar y Pesca Internacional
- Fishing Chairman and member of the board of governors of the Miami Outboard Club
- Former President of the Cuban Sport Fishing Federation
- Author of the Diccionario Marítimo / Maritime Dictionary
- Author of numerous other publications, including books, magazines, and newspapers
- Member of the IGFA
- U.S. Coast Guard-Certified 100-Ton Captain
- Architect and Civil Engineer by profession, holding a Doctorate in Technical Sciences, currently president of NACAA
- Member of the Cuban Naval Circle
- Member and recipient of the “Silver Anchor” award from the Association for the Research and Dissemination of Cuban Naval History
- City of Miami Proclamation: “October 22nd — Captain Manuel Rodríguez-Lestón Day”