THE CARIBBEAN AREA -- CUBA 



local consumption has also suffered. 



Exports of fishery products just prior to the War totaled about 500,000 pounds valued 

 at §100,000. Canned spiny-lobster exports to the United States, the main customer, composed 

 a large part of these shipments in 1938, 1939, and 1940. In 1938, only 123,000 pounds of 

 this product valued at $3/;, 500 were shipped; in 1939 the trade was enlarged to 230,000 pounds, 

 valued at $48,000; and in 1940 commerce reached 314,000 pounds, valued at $69,500. Discon- 

 tinuance of European shipments accounted for much of the difference between 1939 and 1940. 

 Fresh and frozen fish and frozen spiny-lobster tails were next in importance among exported 

 items . 



Imports 



Cuba's normal imports of fishery products are about 17 million pounds, for which about 

 2 million dollars is paid. The two most important items among the products received are dry- 

 salted codfish and canned sardines. Ibe former normally provides about half of the weight 

 of all imports and the latter about a third. Most of the other items are canned, dried, 

 salted, or smoked. Normal iji^sorts of dry-salted cod are about 8 mill ion pounds and those of 

 canned saniLnes, 6 million pounds. 



Per-Capita Consumption 



Cuba's imported fishery products, normally, provide a larger element of the Republic's 

 food supply than does the catch of fish by Cuban fishermen. Based on equivalents of whole, 

 fresh fish, Cuba's per-capita fish consumption averages about 18 pounds per year. Cuban- 

 caught fish compose 4 to 5 pounds of this figure; dry-salted cod, about 8 pounds; and canned 

 sardines, about l|- pounds. 



CUBAN FISHERIES AND THE TtAR 



Even under present conditions, Cuba can produce sufficient fishery products to provide 

 for the requirements of the Republic. In order to do so, however, an adequate study of 

 present conditions is reqxured and an orgaoization capable of directing the activities of 

 the industry is essential. 



Relations to V/ar Economy 



The fisheries represent a type of resource which requires only harvesting to be made 

 available. This resource, if used correctly, is self renewing. No planting, cultivating, 

 or fertilizing is necessary. In periods of depression and unemployment, the use of marine 

 fisheries adds greatly to the economic well-being of the population. At a time v/hen most 

 imported fishery commodities are impossible to procure, the fisheiles in the Republic should 

 be stimulated. Cuba can also lend a helping hand to its less-fortunate neighbors by assist- 

 ing to supply needed fishery products. A population of hecilthy, hard-working fishermen is 

 an asset to any country — it would be to Cuba, V.'ar-tirae nutrition is a problem to many 

 countries, lor the stresses of emergency conditions often cause malnutrition. A regular 

 supply of fishery products, sold at reasonable prices, would raise the nutritional level of 

 the less prosperous classes. 



Cuba's existing fresh-fish industry is an admirable syste.ni of use of local resources. 

 Some enlargement of these fisheries might be accomplished by imprxjvement of market conditions 

 to confom vdth the highest sanitar-/ standard compatible with the cost involved and the 

 public service rendered. Prices to the fisherman should be permitted to rise to approximate 

 as nearly as possible the consumer's buying price, allowing the wholesaler or middle man a 

 reasonable profit. 



170 



