THE CARIBBEAN AREA ~ VENEZUELA 



constructed of bamboo and mud with palm leaves forming the roof. The furnishing of these huts 

 is limited to the most indispensable articles. Many of the fishermen are migratory. That is, 

 they travel frora place to place following r-ons of fish or visiting places where their experience 

 has found that good fishing is to be had. 



\7ith the activities of the present Venezuelan Government, the lot of the fishermen is 

 being improved greatly. Liany of them have been able to become the owners of several nets and 

 boats. Sone of them have obtained work with canneries and other fishery enterprises. 



The Ministerio de Agricultura y Cria through its Servicio de Pesqueria has created a 

 Fisherman's Loan Fund which advances xioney to the fishermen for motorizing their boats and 

 for acquiring better equipment. The formation of fishery cooperatives has been stimulated 

 and the more v.orthy of the poorest fishermen have been advanced materials for the construction 

 of boats and gear. Technicians have been engaged to instruct the fishermen in better means of 

 production and preservation of their catch, and an exploratory service is endeavoring to find 

 new fishing grounds. 



The fishermen of Venezuela compose a valuable segment of the population for they create 

 wealth from resources which, if properly managed, will last indefinitely. They also serve the 

 in^ortant purpose of supplying an essential part of the diet of the country. From their 

 numbers can ccsne seamen and excellent personnel for naval service, 



TVhile fishermen the world over are highly individualistic, Venezuelan fishermen have 

 demonstrated that they can work as a team, for they regularly operate types of gear which 

 require cooperative effort. It is known that formal organizations of fishermen exist in 

 Venezuela and these are known as "gremios". Every fishing village, moreover, is a coherent 

 organization in itself, and the fistermen have relatively little contact with people outside 

 of their villages. Because of their close-knit community life, it is believed that cooperative 

 efforts of the fishennen would be possible in Venezuela. The occupation of fishing seems to 

 be well established in a great many instances fishing has been the occupation of certain families 

 for generations. Young boys assist their fathers and older brothers in catching and drying the 

 fish and, as they grow older, they may acquire their own boat and fishing apparatus. Many of 

 the nets have been handed down from father to son for seTeral generations. Each generation 

 maintains the net and passes it on to the next . 



During the survey, many fishermen were interviewed and much opportunity was had to observe 

 them at their work. They appear to be very industrious and exceedingly capable in handling their 

 boats and gear. In general, they seemed to be of a high type both in intelligence and in 

 physique. IViey have a definite pride in their calling and seem weU content with their work. 

 The efforts expended in bettering their economic conditions vd.ll be beneficial not only to them 

 but also to the Republic. 



Boats 



The census of the country has not been finished, but the following data can be considered 

 as approximate and they have been taken from the Report of the Ministry of Hacienda for the 

 year 1936. 



Licensed for Fishing 



Custom House Number of Boats 



Pampatar 4.04 



Carupeino 130 



Puerto Sucre 1A7 



G\ianta bi^ 



La Guaira 42 



La Vela 42 



Puerto Cabello 93 



Las Piedras 143 



Maracaibo 220 



Total I,2b5 



70 



