THE CARIBBEAN AREA — NICARAGUA 



ntanber of fishermen. There is little doubt, however, that sufficient nimber of men who can 

 become good fishermen are to be found in the coastal regions. 



Boats 



Practically the only craft in general use for fishing are the "cayucos" or dugout 

 canoes. These may range up to 20 feet. They are used not only for fishing bi;t for freight- 

 ing and transportation. On the beach at Puerto Cabezas, where there was a temporary colony 

 of Uiskito Indians, 30-foot sea-going craft were hauled up on the beach. These vessels were 

 of vrtialeboat type with outboard rudders, and they carried a good spread of sail. The boats 

 were of about 7-foot beam and the sections of V-shape. Altogether, the lines were fine with 

 easy runs. The bowsprits were short and stubby aod bent downwards. These boats were not 

 decked but liiwarts were arranged for seating and for the mast step. 



Cayman Islanders fishing off the coast use larger vessels, up to 4.0 or 50 feet. Many 

 are equipped with live wells and are good in a sea way. They are usually fitted with a 

 heavy spread of sail and some may have mnaTI auxiliary motors. These vessels are built on 

 the Cayman Islands. 



On the Pacific side, some small sailboats are used in fishing. These are built locally 

 and, usually, do not exceed 20 feet in length. Here, also, cayucos are used quite universally. 



There are no real fisliing boat types an either coast — the craft in use being primarily 

 general-purpose types. No definite figures are available as to the number of boats in use for 

 fishing, but it is known that it is small, probably fewer than 75 since the demand for fish in 

 the country is limited. There has been no real incentive to acquire or construct better fish- 

 ing craft, but this may come with increased interest and demand for fishery products. 



Pishing Gear 



In common with the type of activity and boats, fishing apparatus is sizzle. Castnets 

 are used widely along the snores and these are knitted from imparted twine. Small beach seines 

 are used on sandy beaches. These are hand made of imported cotton twine. Floats are of native 

 wood and weights are either sheetlead strips or stones. Spiny lobsters are taken with dipnets. 

 The hoop is offset on the wooden handle and the bag is 18 inches to 24 inches in length. The 

 hoop is placed over a likely crevice in the coral and the region explored with a prod, nhen 

 the lobster is flushed out, it rises and becomes enmeshed in the bag. The net is closed with 

 a lateral sweep and brought to the surface with its contents. Hook and line gear is used quite 

 universally for fishing on banks offshore, in inshore areas, and for trolling. Fish pots are 

 used to a very limited extent. Harpoons and spears are used for fishing, particularly by the 

 Indians. The fish are baited to the surface by means of bait attached to a line. When they 

 appear, the harpoon is thrown. The use of bow and arrow in fishing by liiskito Indians is 

 reported. 



Modem shaik fishing is carried on by means of the regular apparatus of chain leaders and 

 heavy hooks on a ground line which is buoyed and anchored. 



Weirs or "corrals" were reported to be in use in estuarine localities. These are made of 

 stakes and netting and serve to trap the fish on the falling tide. 



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