THE CAPJBBEAJ'I AREA — COSTA RIGA 



The inshore waters are affected to some extent by the fresh-water outwash from the 

 landj by local mixing around islands and shallows and by local tides and wind conditions. 

 There is reason to believe that the inshore waters are of higher productivity than the off- 

 shore v/aters. 



Ecological conditions favor at least three types of fish populations. Offshore, in the 

 clear Tfarm waters, the pelagic types such as tuna, swordfish, marlins, dolphins, and flying 

 fish are often abiuidant. Inshore, away from river mouths, the sea basses, ponpanos, jacks, 

 roosterfish, Spanish mackerel, and others are found in great numbers during certain seasons. 

 In brackish ivatei's, snook, groupers, grunt, mullet, threadfin, snappers, and catfish occur. 

 Their abundance is less affected by seasonal changes. 



Caribbean Coast ; — On the Atlantic or Caribbean coast there is approximately 131 miles 

 of suoreline extending from the Rio Sixaola to the Rio Colorado, which forms the boundary 

 with Nicarar^ua. The greater part of the exposed shoreline is low-lying with dark sandy 

 beach. Rocky reefs and coral are found in many places. Back of tlie barrier beaches, there 

 are considerable lagoon and estuary areas and mangrove swaiiips. The best harbor is Port 

 Limon — otlier srall coves and estuaries exist, but they are suitable only for very small 

 boats. Along the entire exposed coast thei-e is no protection from the northeast trades, and 

 the oontinous high surf malces small boat operations hazardous, 



A number of rivers enter the sea along the Costa RLcan coast. Usually, entrance to 

 these rivers is difficult and dangerous because of heavy swells on the shallow bars. Among 

 these rivers is the Rio Hone near Point Cahuita, and the Limon and Cieneguita Rivers at the 

 head of Ll-non Bay. At the head of Uoin Bay, there is a lagoon lying parallel to the coast 

 northwestv/ard for about nine miles. This lagoon is called the Estero de Moin and a number 

 of rivers enter it. The principal ones are the Bartols, the Blanco, and the Toro. This 

 lagoon is navigable by launches and canoes. 



From the mouth of the Estero de I.ioin the coast trends northwestward for about 65 miles. 

 It is low and densely wooded and is fringed by the usual dark sandy beach. A large part of 

 this coast is backed by a series of lagoons v^iich lie a short distance inland and extend 

 parallel to the shore. Several rivers discharge along this coast. The Rio Uantina is 

 navigable for small canoes but is difficult to enter. The Rio Pacuare discharges about 9 

 miles further up the coast and has 9 feet over the bar in rainy seasons. The Boca Parasimina 

 is a lagoon entrance near which is the common mouth of the Rios Parasimina and Reventazon. 

 Seventeen miles northwestward of Boca Parasimina is the Boca de Tortuguero, a lagoon entrance 

 near the mouth of Rio del Tortuguero. T'ne Colorado River, southermost outlet of the San Juan 

 River is deep and rapid with a bar depth of 8 feet. It is, however, dangerous of access, for 

 the sea breaks heavily practically all the time. Within the entrance there are two lagoons, 

 Agua Duce Lagoon extends to the northv/ard and Simon Lagoon to the southward. 



In general, the entire coast is inhospitable and offers little shelter or possiljility 

 for small-boat f isliing . The only areas vrtiere such fishing might be conducted is in the 

 lagoons or in the few sheltered outside localities. 



The 100-fathom curve lies from about 1 to 7 miles offshore. In most places there are 

 depths of 3 to 4 fathoms, | mile offshore with the depths gradually increasing to the 100- 

 fathom curve. The bottom everywhere is of light olive-colored mud with coral reefs and ixscks 

 in some areas. At all times, a heavy swell rolls in from the northeast and breaks with 

 violence. TJhile good holding ground may be found 3 to 4. miles offshore, there is no protection 

 from the trade winds , 



The entire coast is paralled by a southward and eastward setting counter current. This 

 curi^nt has its origin near the Gulf of Honduras and splits near Cape Gracias a Dios. The 

 inside branch swings southward along the coast and then eastward to off Lake Maracaibo. The 

 outer branch turns northward off the north coast of Panama and, skirting Roncador and Serrana 

 Bank, joins a branch of the Equatorial Current. The inside counter current runs about 30 

 miles offshore and its velocity is f]TO!:i 2 to 3 knots in the rainy season. The surface-water 

 ■temperatures range from 79.1" degrees F. in Febnaary to 82.7 degrees F. in September, 



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