of fishermen at 12 ports in 6 provinces. Five cooperatives have already been 

 organized - Batabano, Matanzas, La Coloma, Manzanillo and Santa Cruz del Sur, 

 of which the first three are already functioning. /l 



The Fishery Commission reportedly has distributed among cooperative fisher- 

 men about $1^,000/2 worth of lines, hooks and medium-sized boats, and intends to 

 distribute an additional $35,000. About $25,000 have been spent in repairing 

 craft at Batabano damaged by the hurricane in October 19UU. 



e. Nutritional . - No research. 



f. Pond culture and fertilization . At the Government's Pisciculture 

 Station near Habana trout, big-mouth black bass, crappie and sunfish are bred 

 in large ponds for stocking lakes and streams. 



g. Stocking and rehabilitation of fisheries in lakes and streams - None at 

 present*(see 2-cJ 



h. Fishery education . The Cuban Government early in 19UU issued decrees 

 authorizing the establishment of a School for Fishermen and a Marine Institute/3. 

 Both plans have remained on paper only. At the Cuban Forestal School near Habana 

 City, two-year courses on fishing and pisciculture are given to about 12 students 

 in Agriculture. 



i. Intensification of existing fishing areas - None. About 2li fishing 

 vessels damaged by the hurricane of 19UU were repaired by the Government and in 

 July 19U6 turned over to the owners at no cost. 



j. Greater utilization of present catch - No research (see 15-c). 



OUTLOOK SUMMARY 



a. Production . Unless the Cuban fishing fleet is enlarged and modernized 

 and refrigeration is introduced, it is unlikely that production of fresh fish 

 during the next few years will increase beyond 30 or U0 million pounds. Produc- 

 tion of canned tunny, albacore, bonito and sardines probably will increase and, 

 in time, may compete with sardines and tuna fish imported from the United States 

 and Latin American countries. 



b. Effective local demand for fresh fish will continue about the same as 



in the past few years - roughly 30 or U0 million pounds - and will go beyond that 

 only if refrigerated fish markets are introduced or if the price of fish declines 

 in relation to prices of other meat. 



c. Import requirements in normal times are about 20 to 25 million pounds 

 of dry salted (cod) and j million pounds of other cured and canned fish. V/hen 



'/I These Government-sponsored cooperatives reportedly have given fishermen a 



feeling of independence and security but are viewed as competitors by commer- 

 cial fishing companies and canneries. 



/2 Decree 1310, May 5, 19U5. 



/5 See report no. 1097, April 3, 19Ui, "Cuba Establishes Sea Institute and 

 School for Fishermen. '• 

 * 1946 



35 



