THE CARIBBEAN AREA — BRITISH HONDURAS 



Oceanic Currents ; The main stream of the Equatorial Current flowing through the 

 Caribbean runs outside of the Bay Islands (Honduras) in a westHiorthwest direction at a 

 usual velocity of ^ to 1 knot, until it approaches the cays and banks in the Gulf of 

 Honduras. Here it is diverted to the north and north-northeast and runs along the coast 

 of Belize and the eastern coast of Yucatan -rith a velocity of 1-1/2 to 2 knots in the rainy 

 season* 



A counteircurrent from the north, which las made the circuit of the Gulf of Mexico, passes 

 through the Yucatan Channel under the warm water of the South Equatorial Current and follows 

 the coast of British Honduras to the southward into the bight, and then along the coast of 

 Honduras. It does not appear on the surface until it passes Chinchorro Bank, where it escapes 

 from tiie influence of the warm water of the South Equatorial Current, 



Around Tumeffe Islands, Lighthouse and Glover Reefs, the current almost invariably sets 

 to the southward, also in the inshore passage from Belize to Puerto Ban-ios, turning to the 

 eastward at the latter point. This current is affected to a certain extent by the tides which 

 have a range of 1-lA to 1-1/2 feet, the rising tide setting narthwaixl and the opposite tide 

 to the southward and eastwaixij the current establishing the dominant flow being strongest with 

 the tidal current and weakest against it. 



The South Equatorial Current is strongest and covers the greatest area in midsvamner. In 

 the winter seaswi, it is confined to narrow limits and runs almost directly from Punta de 

 Gallinas (Goajira, Colombia) to Cape Catoche (Yucatan) in an easy curve, while the cool stream 

 from the north, assisted by the northers, flows dovra the coast past Chinchorro Bank and Light- 

 house Reef, then to the Bay Islands and along the coast to Cape Gracias a Dios. Surface-water 

 temperatures vay from a minimum of 78.4 degrees F., in February to a maTlmiiTn of 83.4 degrees F. 

 in September. The inshore waters are often turbid due to outwash from the lard. Rxrther off- 

 shore, however, the waters are clear and blue. 



Productivity is regarded as comparatively good because of the presence of quantities of 

 nutrient salts in the water and the possible mixing of these waters by the currents found in 

 the ai'ea. Lagoon areas are piwiuctive of certain varieties, with great salinity tolerances, 

 such as tarpon, shrimp, snook and mullet. The reefs and cay areas s\^port quantities of 

 groupers, snappers, grunts, and spiny lobsters, and ther« are occasional occurrences of 

 bonito and tuna from the open waters. On the edge of soundings, thers evidences of good runs 

 of such pelagic fishes. 



Species and Distribution 



The principal species appearing in the markets of British Hcaiduras are snapper, kingfish, 

 jewfish (grouper or eeabass), Spanish mackerel, barracuda, rockfish, mullet, and bonito. In 

 addition to these, however, are many other varieties. The marine fauna is typically Caribbean 

 and practically every Caribbean family is represented. 



In the lagoons and sheltered inshore areas, snook, mullet, tarpon, grunts, drums, thread- 

 fins, mojarras, sawfish, scsne groupers and snappers, jacks, gars, anchovies, herrings, silver- 

 sides, sardines, and others are found. 



The reefs and offshore banks support populations of groupers, snappers, grunts, seabass, 

 and a host of other typical reef species, such as squirrel fish, wrasses, angel fish, tangs, 

 butterfly fish, and moray eels. 



In the channels and clear areas, Spanish mackerel, sharks, kinglish, barracuda, runners, 

 bonito (occasionally), halfbeaks, pompano, and other fishes are available. 



Offshore, on the edge of soundings and beyond are the tunas, dolphins, flying fish, 

 bonito, frigate mackerel, and others. 



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