THE CARIBBEAN ASEA — EL SALVADOR 



GHJBRAL CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 



Ihis country is the smallest and most densely populated of the Central American 

 republics. It has no Atlantic coastline. It is almost entirely agricultural and there 

 is a relatively small coastal population. 



Very little fresh fish from the sea reaches the interior although excellent trans- 

 portation facilities (both highvfay and rail) are available. At present, some fish is taken 

 at I^jerto Triunfo and carried by oxcart to the railroad for shipment to San Salvador. A 

 small fish-salting activity for internal consumption is carried on. At present, there is 

 no danyer of food shortage in El Salvador, which produces an abundance of low-priced agri- 

 cultural products. 



There is every indication that an organized fresh- and dried-fish industry could 

 succeed. Marine fish are abundant, of good variety, and there are sufficient experienced 

 fishermen and small boats which can be used in the fishery, the cost of nets is very low 

 since a native fiber (henequen) is extensively used in their construction. 



A considerable amount of shark livers can be produced, particvilarly at La Union and 

 in JiquUisco Bay if the demand is present. In addition, excellent sources of bait and 

 offshore-tuna supplies would make this area valuable as a collecting point for tuna. 



It is sviggested that the Government of El Salvador give consideration to the appointment 

 of a fishery officer whose duties it would be to collect statistics on the fishery industries 

 and to keep infonned on developments in the local fishery activities. 



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