THE VBNEZUEUN SALT-FISH INDUSTRIES 



UBOR 



Sufficient labor in all categories is available at reasonable costs. It is possible 

 that some managerial and supervicory personnel can be obtained in Venezuela but operations 

 and policy control may have to be handled by persons selected from abroad. These persons 

 must be fully grounded in all phases of production, processing, and marketing of fishery 

 products and must have a full realization of the peculiar conditions in the Venezuelan fish- 

 eries, 



TRANSPORTATION 



Adequate local transportation is available for movement of processed fish from the 

 rancherias to shipping centers. This could be improved by the addition of goletas or tres 

 punos, preferably with auxiliary engines, for moving relatively large quantities of fisti. 



If additional transport vessels are required they may be procured from boata already 

 afloat or built in local yards , 



PORTS 



Existing ports are quite suitable for any operations contemplated in this section. 

 Probably Cumana and Karacaibo could be employed as collection centers. Salt-fish could 

 then be exported direct from these ports or shipped by sea to La Guaira or Puerto Cabello 

 for export. 



WAREHOUSING 



Present vrarehouses could adequately handle the increase of production envisioned in 

 this section. There is ample storage space both at the rancherias and ports for more salt- 

 fish products. If temporary storage facilities over and above these are required they cam 

 be built of locally made bricks, tiles, and lumber. 



REFRIGERATION AND ICE-MAKING 



Since existing facilities are to be used, there is no particular need for increased 

 refrigeration or ice-making plants in connection with the development of salt-fish surpluses 

 on the scale contemplated in this section. 



MERCHANDISING 



At the .present time there are no large dealers or handlers of salt-fish. These products 

 are most often handled by small operators who buy the fish from the fishermen and then carry 

 it to consuming centers where it is sold either to wholesalers or retailers. 



It is probable that, given a steady export market demand for salt-fish surpluses, sever- 

 al long-established houses, experienced in the handling and distribution of foodstuffs, 

 would enter the field, provided the products meet the stauidards for export and that prices* 

 psdd are sufficiently attractive. Such companies could organize local production and col- 

 lection for transport to a shipping point where grading, inspection and packing would be 

 performed, A United States Government agency could then purchase such fish under suitable 

 agreements and arrange for its transportation and distribution to the export market. 



Definite controls would be required to insure that salt-fish necessary for Venezuela 

 itself, would not be exported. It would be unwise to export any fish which do not truly 

 represent an exportable surplus. Prices of fish for export should not exceed prices paid 

 locally for home consumption. 



METHODS OF PREPARATION 



Dry- Salted Fish . — The mission visited fish production centers all along the coast of 

 the Venezuelan mainland and outlying islands to study local methods of salt-fish prepara- 

 tion and to suggest improvements where feasible. 



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