THE FISHERIES ANTi 5TSHERY RESil'JHCES OF PAMAVA 



INTRODUCTION 



The fisheries and fishery resources of Panama were studied as a part of a survey of 

 the entire Caribbean area made by a Mission of the United States Government under a cooper- 

 ative arrangement between the TJnited States Department of the Interior, Fish and 'Wildlife 

 Service and the Office of the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs. The Mission was under 

 the direction of Reginald H. Fiedler, Chief of the Division of Fishery Industries, Fish and 

 nidlife Service, United States Department of the Interior, and the field party in Panama 

 consisted of Milton J. Lobell, Fishery Engineer and Clarence R. Lucas, Fishery Economist of 

 the Service, 



The Mission, in its survey during July 19'i2, confined its activities to the Canal Zone 

 and to contiguous parts of the Republic, for it is here that the greatest unfulfilled demand 

 for fish exists. 



The Republic of Panama, because of its location, is important in any consideration 

 ■which affects the Caribbesin area. IVith a long coastline on both the Pacific and Caribbean 

 sides, its fisheries should be able to produce abundant fish not only for local consumption 

 in the Republic and in the Canal Zone but also for export. That the fisheries of Panama 

 have never produced sufficient fishery products to take care of even local demands in spite 

 of vast resources is a fact and a challenge. 



Note: 



As in other countries visited, the assistance of various individuals aided greatly in 

 the work. 



The Ministry of Agriculture and Coi.imerce of the Republic of Panama through its head. 

 Dr. Ernesto R. Febrega; First Secretary, Sr. Julio E. Huertemattej and Sr. Genaro Martinez, Jr., 

 Chief of the Section of iines and Fisheries, assisted the survey in many ways. 



Officials of the United States Embassy aided in arranging for interviews with Panamanian 

 officials and in other ways. 



For making field work possible, acknovdedgment is made to the United States Navy. 



A great deal of valuable informationwas obtained through the officials of the Panama 

 canal. 



To all the above and to many others, the Mission extends its thanks. 



93 



