THE CARIBBEAN AREA — PANAMA 



At the time of the visit of the Mission to Panama, fish were being received in quantities 

 insufficient to meet demands. Hotels, restaurants, clv±)s, public institutions, the United 

 States Army and Navy, and the Canal Zone Commissaries were competing for the available supply 

 with the civilian population. These organizations were purchasing most of the available 

 supply before it could be offered for retail sale. Consequently, virtually no fresh fish was 

 being consumed by the civilian population. Prices, both wholesale and retail were relatively 

 high, as indicated by the following, July 1942, maximum prices published in the Public Market 

 in Panama City: 



Red Grouper 



Corbina (drum) 



Mackerel, snook, snappers 

 Other fishes 



Maximum Wholesale 

 Price per lb. 



25f 



Maximum Retail 

 Price per lb. 



Production 



Landings of fish in Panama have fluctuated frcm about ij million to U million pounds 

 per year. In addition to the landings reported there is a considerable personal-use fishery 

 and a well-developed sport fishery in Panama Bay. The highest production figure {U million 

 pounds) was attained during the years before 1936 ^en some 21, Japanese fishermen operated 

 in the Bay of Panama. Since 1936, when these fishermen were prohibited from further opera- 

 tions, the catch has approximated 2 million pounds annually. Restrictions on boat operations, 

 shortages of fishing gear, highly-competitive labor markets, and other war-time factors have 

 forced current production to new low levels — less than ij million pounds. The normal value 

 of the catch to the fishemen is about $250,000 annually. The present reduced catch has a 

 value to the fishermen the same or greater than the normal much larger catches because fish 

 prices have advanced sharply. The most important species marketed are Corbinas, drums, 

 pargos, snappers, robalos, snook, sierras, Spanish mackerel, jureles, lizas, mullet, jacks, 

 cojinoas, runners, meros and groupers. In addition to these, sharks, threadfins and many 

 others are taken regularly and appear in the markets. At least 50 species are marketed, 

 depending on the season. 



The principal fishing grounds in the Gulf of Panama region are around the islands and 

 in the bays adjacent to the canal entrance, although fishing has been suspended for the 

 duration in this region. Important fishing grounds are located around the islands of Otoque, 

 off Chame Point, on the beach near Chorrera, around Chepillo Islands, in the estuaries of the 

 Bayamo and Chico Rivers, around the Pearl Islands and off Chiman. 



These are all within 100 miles of the Panama City market . 

 fishing is conducted in localized areas to supply local needs. 



In other parts of the Republic, 



Distribution 



Fish for the Panama market is brought in usually in the boats of the fishermen. In 

 19/i2-43 an attempt was made to run a transport vessel for fish, buying the catch from the 

 fishemien at outlying points and carrying it to market on ice. Lack of sufficient supplies 

 of fish has thwarted this development. In 19Al-4^ the Panamanian Government through the 

 Division of Fish and Mines attempted a fish pickup system by truck, but t'nis failed, too, 

 because of lack of suificient fish. Some fish is shipped from Panama City to Colon by rail. 

 It is packed on ice in wooden containers. A fish-handling organization in Panama City 

 supplies fresh fish to cafes, clubs, and hotels. The fish is delivered by truck. This 

 organization could handle a considerable volume of business with its equipment but recently 

 the volume of business has dropped off. In July 194.2, ice could be purchased at 55 cents per 

 100 pounds but there was a limited supply. It was reoorted that additional plants were to be 



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