fflE CAfiIBBEAI4 AREA — EL SALVADOR 



As far as can be determined, the lack of consuaiption of fish in El Salvador is not due 

 to scarcity of fish but is more directly traceable to the low retail price of meats. Meat 

 prices, normally, average 16 cents U.S. per pound as conpared to an average price of 21 cents 

 per pound for fresh fish. Normally, about 500,000 pounds of fishery products are imported, 

 and these imports, converted to a base of whole fresh fish and combined with a catch of per- 

 haps 700,000 pounds, indicate an annual per-capita constmption of about one pound per person. 



Boats 



The majority of boats in use for fishing are dugout canoes, "cayucos". Ihese are made 

 by hand and serve for transportation as well as for fishing. Some of the cayucos are equipped 

 with outboard motors but the usual fonn of propulsion is by Oeirs or by poling. 



Sailboats are used, particularly around La Union. These are all small — not over 25 feet 

 in length. In the sxunmer season when fishing is at its height, launches may be used. Itiere 

 are an estimated 200 craft of all types used in fishing. 



Gear 



Types of fishing gear are simple. Nets are small and many are made of locally-produced 

 henequen fiber. The principal type is the castnet (atarraya) which is used in shallow water. 

 Seme small beach seines are also fished, especially during the summer time when as many as 

 10 "trenes" of fishing nets and boats catch fish for salting and drying. 



Another fishing method in common use is the blocking off of a channel by means of a 

 weir or net strung across the mouth. When the tide recedes, the fish are left high and dry 

 In the channel and then are picked up. 



Hook and line gear, both on the bottom and for trolling, is utilized to sonie extent, 

 particularly in and near the ports of La Libertad and La Union. 



It is reported that certain toxic substances and dynamite are also sometimes used, even 

 though prohibited by law. 



Fishermen 



The fishermen of El Salvador are relatively few in number and most of them work at 

 fishing only incidentally to other pursuits such as agriculture and stevedoring. In 1940, 

 there were about 11,000 persons reported to be living in the coastal zone. 



llhen fishermen are hired by a boat owner or middleman, they receive 0.75 colones per 

 day, whidi is the average for other kinds of labor. Rowers earn 1.00 to 1.25 colones for a 

 long day's work. These wages do not include any subsistence and usually, because of tidal 

 conditions, it is impossible to woric a full day. 



In 1940, there was an estimated 134 fishennen ■vrtio worked more or less regularly. This 

 number is augmented at various seasons by others who fish only during periods of abxindance of 

 fish. Also, in the summer months, fishermen come to the coast from the highlands of the 

 Republic to catch and salt fish which they later sell. 



Fish-Handling Eacilities 



It was reported in 1942 that there were four cold-storage plants in El Salvador. IWo 

 were located in Salvador, one in Usulatan, and one in Zacatacoluca. the price of ice is con- 

 trolled by the producers, being 1.10 colones for 100 pounds in San Salvador and 1.50 colones 

 for 100 pounds in Zacatecoluca. Ihe plants are all convenient to highway and rail transporta- 

 tion. 



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