THE VENEZUELAN SALT-FISH INDUSTRIES 



For arenque the procedure was the same with the exception of the dressing operation, 

 Arenque were dressed by holding the fish in the left hand, belly side down, and cutting 

 behind the head in such a manner that the viscera was removed with the head. The fish were 

 washed in sea water and placed in the barrel with alternate layers of fish and salt. 



These samples were shipped to Puerto Rico for examination. In each case the brine 

 had assumed an "off" color and odor. Reddening of the flesh occurred to some degree in 

 every sample. Under present conditions brine-salted fish do not seem to keep for longer 

 than one month. Further investigation may develop a means for preparing brine-salted fish 

 which will keep over a longer period. Sterilization of the salt, admixture of chemical 

 inhibitors in the brine, and storage in cool warehouses would all be useful in better preser- 

 vation, 



INSPECTION 



A system of inspection must be adopted for products intended for expert. Fish should 

 be graded according to species, size, moisture content and color. The smaller species may 

 be packed together but care should be exercised to segregate the oily species from the lean 

 ones. The fish should be packed carefully to avoid excess physical damage during shipment, 

 and a careful check on the net weight should be made. The moisture content of each lot should 

 be determined before shipment, A small moisture determination laboratory should be provided 

 for this purpose. Adequate inspection invariably leads to satisfied customers and very 

 often increases profits. The world salt-fish trade at the present time is disrupted and 

 favorable for the entrance of new producers. These producers, however, should take ad- 

 vantage of this opportunity to establish good relations with importing markets by supply- 

 ing good products at reasonable prices. By doing so, resumption of normal competitive con- 

 ditions will not seriously affect the chances for Venezuelan producers to remain in business. 

 Attempts to amass unjust profits and to dispose of poor quality products under stress of 

 emergency conditions can only result in a virtual termination of the export trade when normal 

 conditions again apply. 



FINANCING 



Under operations contemplated in this section no great amount of money would be re- 

 quired, since present facilities and methods are to be utilized. Necessary financing costs 

 would include office, collection, handling, and packaging. Ample local private capital is 

 available for any purposes contemplated in this section. 



To cope with the necessary transportation, purchase, and distribution problems from 

 Venezuelan shipping points to the ultimate consumers, interested United States Government 

 agencies might set up a small purchasing and service unit in Venezuela. If this were not 

 feasible, local enterprise could sell direct to agents in other countries with transport 

 by present available means or in some cases by Venezuelan-ovmed carriers. 



In order to assure interested parties in Venezuela of success it would be advisable 

 to make firm offers or contracts for specified varieties, quantities and delivery times. 

 Quality should also be specified by the purchaser. Under present shipping conditions Vene- 

 zuelain enterprise would doubtless desire to sell their products FAS Venezuelan shipping 

 point. 



MATERIALS REQUIREMENTS 



The only materials requirements would be sufficient cotton-twine, hooks, chicken-wire, 

 leader-wire, nails and boat-building supplies, tools, canvas , emd other materials to maintain 

 the present fishing fleet. To this, if brine-salted fish were required, would be added bar- 

 rel staves, heads, and hoops and the necessary barrel-assembling apparatus. To make more 

 efficient collection and transport to and from the warehouses , it may be necessary to arrange 

 priorities for severad diesel engines of about 175 to 250 horsepower. These engines would 

 be installed in schooners already afloat. Shafts and propellers would probably also be 

 required. An itemized statement of requirements is listed below. (Furnished by the Min- 

 isterio de Agricultura y Cria.) 



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