THE VENEZUELAN SALT-FISH INDUSTRIES 



According to the reports of individuals who were engaged in trawling in the Gulf of 

 Venezuela, large catches were obtained. The species, hov;ever, were grunts, flounders, and 

 other non-esteemed types and there was no market for thejr sale. 



These previous experiences indicate that trawling should at least be considered, par- 

 ticularly in the Lago de Maracaibo, the Gulf of Venezuela, of^ Tacarigua and Unare Lagoons 

 and in the Gulf of Parla. V/hi]e the species taken might not be salable on Venezuelan fresh- 

 fish markets they would certainly be usable as dry-salted fish and possibly frozen fish for 

 export. 



For experimental and developmental stages of trawling it would be unnecessary to im- 

 port large vessels or nets. As a matter of fact it might be best to develop smaller nets 

 which could be used by sailboats or small motorboats . 



In the opinion of the mission, the most suitable method for developing the trawl fish- 

 ery would be as follows : 



1. Acquire a 50 to 60 foot shrimp or flounder dragger from the United States east 

 coast. 



2, Acquire at least two small trawlsi for its us 



3. If experiments are successful, obtain designs for small trawls of above type and 

 construct locally. 



4o Nets can be built locally copying above. 



5« Develop smaller nets for use by sailboats.^' 



It is quite possible that an extremely rich shrimp population will be found. If so 

 this would furnish the basis for industrialization by canning, drying, freezing, and salt- 

 ing. 



Trolling and live-bait fishing is now carried on by fishermen in the Isla Kargarita 

 region. While the techniques are good, the yield is comparatively small because of the 

 small boats used. Larger boats, preferably motorized, can be used for both types of fish- 

 ing and the catches would be much larger. In trolling, outriggers should be used and by 

 this means nine or more lines can be fished. Venezuelan fishermen are well acquainted with 

 rigging and fishing by this means. In live-bait fishing the bait fish can be carried in 

 a well or in a deck tank. In the latter case a small water pump would be necessary, V/ith 

 larger boats more men could fish and the catch would be greater than at present, 



Handlining is a universal type of fishing in Venezuela, At present it is usually con- 

 ducted not far from shore and usually in water up to 50 fathoms, (Some Coche fishermen 

 get down to 100 fathoms or more.) Since only small sailboats are used at present the grounds 

 must be fairly close to shore. If larger vessels, up to 60 feet, of the tres punos type, 

 equipped with a small diesel auxiliary were used, the fishing radius could be extended and 

 grounds, now practically virgin, exploited. Such vessels could be equipped with an in- 

 sulated hold for carrying ice to preserve the catch. The fishermen could fish directly 

 from the mother ship or from small rowboats or dories, a number of which could be carried 

 aboard. This type of activity would probably produce fish only for the fresh market or 

 for freezing. Such banks as those of Goajira, those between Isla Margarita and Grenada, 

 and others could be fished by these craft. 



1' Specifications: 30 to itO foot headrope 

 10 foot wings 

 Bag to be 1" mesh 

 Wings -2" mesh 



Trawl-lines either cable or rope — preferably rope 

 2/ For further information on the use of an otter trawl by sailboat and other small craft, 

 refer to an article entitled: "A small otter trawl" by R. T. V/hiteleather and H, H. 

 Brown, 1%4 (Government Printing Office, Port of Spain, Trinidad. 12 pp.). 



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