■IHE CARIBBEAN AREA — EL SALVADOR 



nSHERY RESOURCES 



Character of the Coast 



The Pacific coast of El Savador extends from the Guatemalan boundary at the Rio La Paz 

 to the boundary with Honduras at the Goascoran River. The length of the coastline, disregard- 

 ing the indentations, is about 160 uiiles. The principal ports are Acajutla, La Libertad, and 

 La Union. Of these, only the latter offers a sheltered harbor, the others are open roadsteads. 



■Qiere are several large indentations on the coast, the largest being the Laguna de 

 Jaltepeque and Jiquilisco Bay. The west side of the Gulf of Fonseca is Salvadorian territory 

 and the remainder of the Gulf is shared by Honduras and Nicaragua. Most of the coastline is 

 a sandy beach with high cliffs breaking in occasionally, particularly between Acajutla and La 

 Libertad. IRhere there is low swampy ground as near river mouths and lagoons, mangrove swamps 

 predominate. A nunter of rivers enter the sea alcJng the coast, with the largest being the Rio 

 Lempa and the Rio San Miguel. The bottaa slopes off grad\ially to the 100-fathora line which 

 lies 30 to 40 miles offshore. There are no islands offshore and no banks of any size. The 

 bottom within the 100-fathom curve is predominantly mud and sand, and there ai^ very few rocky 

 areas. 



The coast is exposed to the full sweep of the Pacific and the swells are oftentimes very 

 heavy, particularly in the winter months. The currents are quite variable, sometimes easterly 

 and sometimes westerly, with an average strength of about ij knots. The neap range of tides 

 runs about 8 feet, with the spring tides about 10 feet at La Libertad. During certain seasons, 

 heavy winds occur axtd violent local squalls known as "chubascos" accompanied by thunderstonns 

 are qiiite comnon during the rainy season from May to November. Sea-water surface temperatures 

 range from 78,9 degrees F. in January to 82«5 degrees F. in May. Most of these waters are 

 derived from the high salinity Equatorial Counter Current which drifts northwestward along the 

 Central American Coast. While the open ocean is not very productive, there are, at times, 

 vast schools of tuna and other mackerel-like fishes. Only on the immediate coast and in the 

 lagoons and bays are there large resident populations of fish. 



Species and Distribution 



Available to the Salvadorian fishermen are tw) groups of fish — these are the shore and 

 lagoon species and the pelagic species. By far the greatest contribution is made by the 

 former. Included are the mullets, mojarras, catfish, grunts, snappers, threadfins, herrings, 

 jacks, aiooks, groupers, sharks, and anchovies or sardines, rudderfish, and gobies. Sea bass, 

 weakfish, barracuda, and mackerel may scmetimes be taken, Ttie offshore types such as the 

 tunas, roosterfish, and dolphins are taker, only very occasionally. 



The abundance of many of the species is seasonal irtiile others may be taken throughout the 

 year. Little is known of the abundance and extent of the fishery resources but it is clear 

 that an increased catch could be taken without endangering the supply. The greatest abundance 

 occurs from June to September and, during this time, there is much more fishery activity than 

 in the other months. Hildebrand, fiho made fishery studies in El Salvador during January and 

 Februsiry 1924-, states that, "Two brief collecting trips were made to sailt water, and there, too, 

 fish appeared to be scarce. It is well understood, however, that the abundance of fish in salt 

 water usually varies greatly with the season, and the results obtained from the two short visits 

 made are not sufficient to form, the basis for any conclusions." 



FISHERY INDUSTRIES 



Many fishermen using simple methods supply fish to coastal ccmnnunities of El Salvador. 

 Perhaps 500 pounds of fresh fish a day reach the markets of San Salvador, the Capital. Con- 

 siderable quantities of local fish are salted for personal use of the fishermen and their 

 families. Imported salt fish are sold in the cities diiring Easter week only. 



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