■IHE CARIBBEWJ AREA — CUBA 



5. Stvidy of canning and freezing plants, including information concerning their 

 present and possible production. 



6. Study of fresh-fish mariceting to determine the species, quantities, seasons of 

 supply, origin, trade, practices, and prices paid to the fishermen, wholesalers, and 

 retailers, 



7. Study of transportation, packing, and handling practices and costs. 



8. Study of the catch or "yield" of fish and shellfish and the manufacture of 

 fishery products. 



To adequately follow trends of production and fluctuations in productivity of the various 

 fisheries, it is regarded as extremely essential that a permanent catch record system be 

 instituted. This system should show the species taken, the quantity, the type of gear used 

 in Uiaking the capture, the port of landing, and the approximate value of the catch to the 

 fisherman, These data should be kept as currently as possible. 



At the present time it appears most feasible to maintain catch records with the 

 cooperation of the Seccion de Capitanias of the Marina de Guerra, but strong effort should 

 be made to give adequate instructions to the officers who collect these data. A system of 

 fishing licenses should be an integral part of the catch record system. 



War Program 



The national fishery agency should immediately embark on a war program to (a) maintain 

 existing fishery operations throughout the V.'ar; and (b) stimulate emergency fishing operations 

 to obtain food supplies from unused resources. 



Specific projects that are suggested to aid in accomplishing these objectives are as 

 follows : 



1. The reestablishment (if not already done so) of the Habana-based handline 

 fishery for snappers and groupers which has been tied up due to certain difficulties 

 caused by war conditions. In this connection, it may be necessary to establish a 

 wholesale and retail malice t at the wharf in Habana vriiere snappers and groupers are 

 landed, 



2. Development of a salt-fish industry at llanzanillo and Casilda, utilizing the 

 reported abundance of mullet in these areas. A product preserved in brine similar to 

 that produced in the South Atlantic states from mullet should be considered in connection 

 with this project, 



3. Establishment of a shrimp-trawling industry, especially out of ports along the 

 south coast such as Batabano, Cienfuegos and Manzanillo. 



U. Use of available storage facilities for fish as well as meat products, 

 particularly in Habana. 



5. Development of uses for species at present not utilized, particularly for 

 low-priced consumer, markets. 



6. Reduction of transportation charges of fresh-fish shipments from landing points 

 to consumer markets, 



7. Establishment of a fishery laboratory at Mariel. This will provide an appropriate 

 place for actual field studies. 



8. Reconditioning of the dismantled fishing schooner lying at Mariel. This vessel 

 could be used for coimnercial explorator/ fishing. 



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