TEE CARIBBEATI AREA — VE3^IEZUELA 



lot of shark fishing gear was sent to Venezuela by a commercial shark hide processing firm 

 from the United States. One Venezuelan company had acquired galvanized chain of Brazilian 

 manufacture. 



Reliable observers on the ground reported that an average of about 600 sharks per 

 month are taken. One company equipped with 7 boats produced in 1941, 3,550 hides and about 

 1,300 gallons of liver oil. (The latter was the product of 3 months' activity). The total 

 yield for three ccanpanies would be about 100 percent more according to estimates. The rate 

 of yield reported above had been maintained during the first 5 months of 19-^2 and one 

 company estinHted that they would produce about 5,500 gallons of liver oil in this year pro- 

 vided that shipping space was available and the demand was steady. 



A number of species are tal<en, includinf; the hammerhead, the nurse, and the tiger 

 sharits. Others are also taken but little is known of the actual species. So far, there 

 seems to be no depletion in the stock but the porpoises used for bait are becoming scarcer. 



The fresh shark livers are cut into small pieces and rendered in double-boiler cauldrons 

 over open fires. The oil is not refined in any way but attempts were being made to obtain a 

 centrifuge. The livers used are absolutely fresh with no signs of deterioration. The oil 

 is barreled in 55-gallon drums and shipped to the United States. 



The hides are all carefully removed and flensed on a beam to remove fat and flesh. 

 They are then salted down. Large stocks had accumulated in 1942 due to transportation 

 difficulties . 



The fins are dried in the sun and are shipped to local markets or, as formerly, to the 

 United States. Jaws and teeth are also saved and exported. The flesh is cut into fillets, 

 washed, brined, and salted. It is then placed on flakes for drying in the sun. The finish- 

 ed products seem to be well accepted and are of good quality — better than most of the other 

 dry-salted products of other species seen. 



Pearl fishing 



One of the most important fisheries in the Isla Margarita region during normal times 

 is pearl fishing. The grounds in tliis vicinity have been worked for centuries and the 

 Spanish colonists used every means to continue and export the yield. For many years, the 

 pearl fisheries have been regulated by the National Government, and the laws and regulations 

 have been administered quite successfully. 



Venezuelan pearls are, in general, not of as consistently high quality as those from other 

 places but Venezuela has produced many excellent specimens. Usually the types are of odd 

 shapes such as the baroque. The pearls, too, sre often colored. In normal times most of the 

 pearls are exported to France, sent to India to be drilled, and then back to France to be used. 

 The seed pearls are used on dresses and certain types of hangings and the larger ones are 

 manufactured into jewelry items. Itie War has cut off this market. In order to relieve the 

 situation, the Venezuelan Government has purchased outstanding stocks and has prohibited 

 further fishing until markets are restored. 



No detailed study was made ol the vessels and methods used in the pearl fishery but 

 many pearling vessels were seen at Porlamar. Some of these were being used for fishing. 

 Many have small auxiliary motors and others are equipped with outboard motors. The boats 

 are of .■=mif^n schoOTier type and appear to be excellent sea boats and well constructed. 



Exports 



Exports of fishery products in 1940 totaled 75,300 pounds of wliich 11,400 were shipped 

 to Aruba, 54,500 to Curacao, and 9,400 pounds to the United States. These 1940 exports in- 

 cluded fresh as well as salted fish. No duties were imposed. The most important exported 

 products were fish hides, fish "sounds", and shark fins. 



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