IHE CARIBBEAN AREA — GUATEIMLA 



sheltered coasts, in El Golfete and in the Gvilfo Dulce, the most important types are the 

 mullet, snook, v/eakfish, tarpon, anchovies, some species of groupers, herrings or sardines, 

 siiarks, and grunts. Oysters and shri.-ap occur in considerable quantities. Further offshore 

 in deeper water and on the open coast where the salinities remain more constant, Spanish 

 :tiackerel, kingfish, barracuda, jacks, snappers, groupers, and other species are found. On 

 the reels, spiny lobster are to be taken and in some areas turtles are found in quantities. 

 Since Guatemalan territorial waters are a considerable distance from the oceanic currents 

 and migratory routes of such species as tuna and swordfish, these probably T»ill not enter 

 the commercial catch. 



On the Pacific side, groupers, Spanish mackerel, snappers, sea bass, snook, and various 

 jacks are taken. Mullet, shrimp, and various small anchovies and sardines occur in the la- 

 goons. Offshore, there are, doubtless, ccxisiderable amounts of tuna-like fishes to be found. 

 Sharks, too, occur in considerable numbers. 



Fish are reportedly abundant on both coasts but little factual evidence is at hand to 

 corroborate the reports. At the least, however, greater strain could be placed on the marine 

 resources if the suitable incentive exists. 



THE FISHERY INDOSTRIES 



Produc tion 



No statistics are kept of cormnercial fish production, but it is estimated that the 

 Atlantio-coast regicxi produces about 60,000 pounds annually and the Pacific coast about 

 ^0,000 pounds, making a total of 100,000 pounds for the country. In addition to these 

 figures, there might be added the catch of the coastal populations which is consumed in the 

 homes of the fishermen. It is extremely doubtful that the total catch by all means is more 

 than 250,000 pounds annually. 



Distribution 



Very little fresh, marine fish is sold in the interior, practically all being sold in 

 the coastal towns. Occasionally, iced fish is shipped by train from Puerto Barrios to the 

 nearby towns of Morales, Quirigua, and Zacapa. Fairly regular but exceedingly small supplies 

 reach Guatemala City, 198 miles from Puerto Barrios. At Livingston, some fish is salted for 

 local consumption but this actually is on a very small scale. 



On the Pacific side, some fish caught near Iztapa on the Chuquimulilla Canal are brought 

 to San Jose for shipment to Guatemala City by railroad. The types most usually shipped are 

 groupers and snappers. 



Fishermen 



No material is available on the number of persons engaged in fishing, but the number of 

 fishermen of all types probably does not exceed 200. Indeed, it is doubtful whether there 

 are any wlio follow fishing as a full time vocation. Most of the fishing activity is carried 

 on by residents who fish only incidentally to other work. On the Atlantic side, fishing is 

 done by Caribs. Since, in normal times, other forms of employment are available, there is 

 little incentive for fishing as a regular business. If a man ovais a dugout canoe and a net 

 he is classed as a fisherman even if he supplies only his own needs. 



On the Pacific side, fishing is carried on as a more regular business but there are few 

 full-time fishermen. The resident population, in normal times, works at other occupations 

 and fishing is an incidental to other occupations. 



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