Commercial Shark Fishing in, the Caribbean Area 65 



stone or granite. In some places where such stones do 

 not occur naturally they can be found where ships have 

 dumped ballast. Ordinary coral rock is useless, but 

 hard limestone will do for want of something better. In 

 some places round suitable pieces of scrap metal are 

 available. 



If the ends of the barrel are not completely firm, they 

 should be strengthened with wood around the hole 

 through which the axle passes. 



Of course these instructions need not be followed 

 strictly. Where one thing is not available there is al- 

 ways something else that will do. With a little thought 

 and imagination, this equipment can be built anywhere 

 at little cost. 



The method described above is very simple. There are 

 many elaborate machines for making fish meal. At the 

 present time this machinery would be difficult if not im- 

 possible to get. Besides, even the smallest set of equip- 

 ment would cost thousands of dollars, and to make it pay 

 you would have to handle between 3,000 and 6,000 tons 

 of scrap a year. If you ever reach this stage, it will be 

 worth your while to make inquiries. The simple equip- 

 ment described above requires a good deal more labor 

 than the modern machines but it produces just as good 

 fish meal. 



Making Fish Meal — Soiling and Cooking 



Put about 12 gallons of water into the boiler and bring 

 it to a boil. Add about 150 pounds of chopped meat and 

 refuse and broken up bones. Cook for 20 to 25 minutes 

 with occasional stirring. Allow to cool for 10 minutes 

 without stirring. Draw off the surface water. 



At one time it was thought that oil in fish meal was 

 harmful to stock ; it is now known that with the possible 

 exception of growing chicks, this is untrue and that the 

 oil is an advantage in feed. As this fact has been known 

 for only the last 10 years, you will still find people who 

 will not buy meal with a high oil content. For this reason 

 and for the reason that low oil meal is more easily pre- 

 pared and stored, keep your oil content down — if neces- 

 sary by prolonging the boiling of the scrap. 



Take out the eooked material (a wire basket of about 



