THE CARIBBEAi; AREA — PANAMA 



Potential Market 



The Republic of Panama itself offers a good market for locally-produced fishery pro- 

 ducts. In addition the population of the Canal Zone, a relatively high-income group, could 

 utilize greatly increased amounts. Ships transiting the Canal furnish a good outlet of 

 considerable size. The nearby Republics and the Caribbean area as well as the United States 

 would fiu-nish markets for certain items. 



Frozen tuna could be shipped to the United States very easily in normal times both to 

 the Atlantic and Gulf coasts as well ?s to California. Cheaper grades of canned fish might 

 find a ready market in Central America and in the Pacific Islands. Dried and salt fish could 

 be sold in the Caribbean area. 



Reduction of imports of fishery products, limiting of supplies of other flesh proteins, 

 and inflation of population have developed a favorable market for sales of fresh fish. If 

 fish were to be made more available, it is presumed they could be marketed in at least the 

 volume used in normal times, were prices retained on the same relative level. During the 

 war, local fish-production projects should also attempt to substitute locally-caught fish 

 for fishery imports normally received, so that there would be no definiency due to shortage 

 of the usual fish in the diet and so that a very minimum of shipping space would be devoted 

 to those imports. Fish might also be substituted for shortened supplies of meats. 



It is anticipated further that fish could be distributed in vastly increased volmne if 

 it were marketed at prices low enough to be available as regular items of diet for the low- 

 income workers. -Such low-priced fisli would do inestimable good to the health of the civilian 

 population. TOiile fish at 17^ cents a pound is beyond the reach of even the average wage 

 earner in Panama ($500 per year), except on special occasions, fish at five to 10 cents a 

 pound could become a staple article of diet. If mass-production methods were applied to the 

 fisherj'' for Panama's Pacific fishes, such a lowering of price might easily be accomplished. 



The current catch of about 2^ million pounds could reasonalby be increased to 10 million 

 pounds with prices remaining relatively the same as they were prior to the war, and, if prices 

 for certain species were dropped to five to 10 cents per pound, up to perhaps 50 million 

 pounds could be marketed. 



The extent of the potential market for fishery products produced in Panama is limited 

 only by the quality of the products and their price in competition with other items. The 

 central location, large supplies, and relatively low-production cost snould enable Panama 

 to compete on a favorable basis. 



GAME FISHING 



For a number of yearsj the Bay and Gulf of Panama have been popular with game fishermen. 

 Here, under excellent conditions, hundreds of persons have enjoyed this exciting sport. In 

 1932, the Pacific Sailfish Club was organized and this organization has enjoyed great success. 

 In 193s, there were 184 members, with many others taking advantage of its facilities. This 

 club has put the game fishing in Panama on a true sportsman basis by qualifying the types of 

 gear to be used. It has contributed considerably to the knowledge of certain species. Some 

 23 sport-fishing boats were owned by club members in 1933 and the number has increased. 

 There has been, in addition, a number of boats of excellent type for charter. Tae club has 

 consistently publicized the excellent fishing in Panama Bay with great advantage to the 

 Republic, 



A publication of the club lists the following species as being caught in Panama Bay by 

 sport fishermen! 



112 



