THE CARIEBEWJ AREA — BRITISH HONDURAS 



and semiskilled labor was being paid about |2.50 per day at the tinie of the Mission's visit. 

 Fi'esh meat (beef) was priced at 12 to 20 cents per pound. 



It is calculated that the annual per capita consumption of fishery pixjduots, 

 dsmestic and ii^iorted, converted to whole-fresh-fish equivalents, is 11 poxrnds. 



Fishermen 



It is estimated that between 250 and 500 fishermen are engaged In f\ill time fishing 

 activities with a considerably greater number fishing on a part-time basis or for personal 

 use. All are of negro stock except a few who are Indians. The British Honduras fishennen 

 appear quite capable in handling their boats and gear and are able to supply sufficient 

 catches to satisfy local needs. It has been reported that from time to time fishermen from 

 nearby countries and other colonies have encroached on the fishery grounds within British 

 Honduras. 



In common with the general conditions in the Caribbean countries, fishermen in Bri ish 

 Honduras are quite poor and they live on a narrow margin of subsistence, their lot possibly 

 is better in this Colony than in many other places, for there is a steady and well-developed 

 market for their products and their operations fit into a good general scheme of distribution 

 and marketing. Production costs are very lov/ and fish plentiful. In normal times, there is 

 opportunity for export of relatively high-value products, such as shark hides, turtle shell, 

 and spiny lobsters. The fishermen are very independent, however, £ind will not work for 

 others if they can possibly avoid it. 



Boats 



The most commonly-used boat in the fisheries is tiie "dorey", ranging from 16 to AO feet 

 in length and carrying a considerable spread of sail. These boats usually employ a crew of 

 two men and are equipped with live wells. They are locally built and are of good design, 

 being double-ended with outboard rudders. They are usually decked over forward, and often 

 there is a cockpit. The well is placed amidships and is covei^ed with a hatch. 



Some larger sailing vessels, called "smacks", are also used in fishing. These range 

 from 2 to 6 gross tens and require a crew of three to five men. These vessels usually are 

 equipped with live wells and are capable sea boats. They may have been introduced by fish- 

 ermen from the Cayman Islemds, for they are similar to types from there, 



-Many dugout canoes are in use. these may reach a size of 40 feet in length and 5 feet 

 in width, they are double ended and keeled. Because of their fona, they are fast but 

 "cranky". Mahongany, cedar, guanacaste, and other local woods are used. Those used in 

 sheltered waters are usually paddled, but others, used in the sea, are equipped with sails. 



In the streams and lagoons, flat-bottom dug-out canoes called "pitpans" are used. These 

 are long and nairow and draw but little water. Both bow and stem are square and project 

 like a small platform. On this a man can stand while poling the pitpan. 



Considerable boat-building is carried oti at Belize and the boats are of good construction 

 and design. Local woods are used, but fittings and other supplies ai-e imported. 



In total, it is estimated that 500 boats of various types are in use in the fisheries of 

 the Colonyj of these, about 150 call at Belize. 



Fishing Gear 



Most of the eaten is taken on handlines. Some trolling is carried on while running to 

 and from the fishing grounds. Nets are in use in the northern part of the Colony and in 

 river mouths and lagoons. It was estimated that there were about 30 beach seines ranging 



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