THE CARIBBEAN AREA — BRITISH HONDURAS 



Very little is known of the actual ab\mdance and seasonal variations in the populations, 

 but the catches have always been sufficient to supply the needs of the Colony. 



Oysters, crabs, and clams may be taken in inshore areas and spiny lobsters on the reefs. 

 Turtles are encountered all along the cays and have been fished for many years. Conchs are 

 abundant and are used locally. Some have been exported to nearby republics. It is reported 

 that groupers abound in the vicinity of Glover's Reef, Cay Gloria, and the Sapodilla Cays, 

 spawning in December and Januarj'. Spirqr lobsters are most plentiful in the vicinity of Cay 

 Caulker, Ambergris Cay, Glover's Reef, and Tumeffe Islands. The greatest abundance of 

 kingfish is found in June outside the reefs. Jewfish occur throughout the waters of the 

 Colony. It is reported that they possibly spawn in May and are exceedingly plentiful in 

 September. Snappers, widely distributed, seem most plentiful in May and June. Barracuda 

 are found in the largest quantities, in the markets, during the months of July and August. 

 Tarpon are abundant and are to be found in March, April and May near the mouths of most 

 rivers. 



FISHERY INDUSTRIES 



The fresh-fish industry of British Honduras is a very effective unit of local food 

 supply. The con5)aratively pm^^^ population of the capital of this Colony lives within reach 

 of the public market. Here, fishermen in sailboats arrive with fish either in containers 

 ■without ice or in live wells constructed in the centers of the vessels. Fish are sold alive 

 direct from these live wells or bargained for over displays lined up on the bows of the fish- 

 ing boats, while these craft are moored, nose in, along the waterfront side of the market. 

 Other fish are displayed on a line of stone-topped market tables close to the water's edge. 



Fresh fish are usually plentiful in the market and are sold cheaply, costing the consumer 

 5 to 10 cents (U. S. or British Honduras value) per pound and 7 cents per pound is charged for 

 salt fish. It is estimated that a nonncil year's sales total 4-00,000 pounds on this market and 

 that the sales of the entire Colony amount to 500,000 pounds. In addition to this, much fish 

 is consumed by the families of fishermen in the scattered rural population established on the 

 shores of the coast and the rivers. Virtually, all commerce in British Honduras has been 

 waterbome until recently, and the life of the Colony has necessarily become established on 

 the water's edge. In the past few years, good roads have replaced the water courses in the 

 carrying of a portion of the traffic. 



Fish for the Belize market are obtained within 15 miles of the mainland coast. Much is 1 

 taken fraa the waters surrounding the offshore cays. Considerable quantities are salted and 

 dried on these small islands for the Belize trade. Scattered fishing activity occurs along 

 the Colony's 180 miles of seacoast. 



Spiny lobsters are captured to supply a long-established local demand. In 1923 a 

 cannery for preserving these Crustacea was established by the Franklin Baker Company. It 

 was thriving in 1925 but has since ceased operations, due, reportedly, to difficulty in 

 getting adequate supplies of spiny lobsters. Ihe canned product was exported. Also produced 

 for export trade were sponges, tortoise shell, shark hides, and alligator hides. Today, export 

 trade in all fishery products is suspended, pending resumption of regular shipping service to 

 the United States and Bigland. 



Sponges were cultivated in British Honduras waters; and, in 1933, about 115,000 cuttings 

 were growing around Tumeffe Cay, this activity was promoted and fostered by the local 

 Government. In 1935 there were reported to be 300,000 wool and velvet sponges under culti- 

 vation. It was estimated that by 1937 approximately 3A million sponges could be exported if 

 favorable maricets existed. About 1938 a blight struck the sponges of the Benmidas and spread 

 southward. It destroyed the sponges in British Honduras and since 1939 there has been no 

 further sponge-culture attempt made. 



Retail fresh-fish prices of 7 to 10 cents per pound appeared to be very favorable for all 

 classes of consumers in British Honduras. Wages for unskilled labor were $1.00 to $1.25 a day. 



14B 



