THE CARIBBEAN AREA — DOMINICAN REPLIBLIC 



FISHERY RESOURCES 



Character of the Coast 



The Dominican Republic has in reality two coasts, both ending at Cape Engano, the 

 eastern tip of the Republic. Itie north coast extends approximately 350 miles in a south- 

 easterly direction from the Bahia de Manzanillo, boundary with Haiti, to Cape Engano. The 

 south coast trends in an easterly direction from the toTvn of Pedemales to Cape Engano, a 

 distance of about 300 miles. 



Both coasts are steep-to, with the 100-fathom line from one to eight miles offshore. 

 The only localities where there are considerable bottom areas within the 100-fathom line are 

 between the Bahia de llanzanillo and Cape Isabela (Monte Cristi Bank), in the Bahia Samana, 

 off Cape Engano, around the Isla Saona, between Isla Catalina and Cape Caucedo, between Punta 

 Palenque and Punta Salinas, on Ocoa Bay, and aromd the Islas Beata and Alta Vela. Altogether, 

 it is doubtful that the total area within the 100-fathom line exceeds ^,000 square miles or an 

 average of about six square miles for every mile of coastline. Off the north coast are two 

 large banks. The largest. Silver Bank, lies 35 miles due north of Cabo Vie jo Frances and 

 covers an approximate area of about 1,200 square miles, Tdth depths up to 20 fathoms. Navidad 

 Bank, somewhat smaller, covers an extent of about 250 square miles and is located about 35 

 miles north of Cape Samana. It has depths up to 17 fathoms. 



North Coast ; The north coast is marked by the occurrence of numerous reefs cind shoals 

 which usually form barriers cut by channels. Small islets and rocks occur and the Monte Cristi 

 Bank region is spotted with them. There are numerous small sheltered localities where small 

 boats can anchor, but the coastal waters are so strewn with reefs and shosils that excellent 

 knowledge of the area is necessary for navigation. The shore varies considerably. There are 

 extensive areas of low, sandy beach interspersed with high, bare or wooded cliifs. At the heads 

 of some of the bays and near mouths of rivers mangrove swamps occur. 



South Coast ; The south coast has seversil fair-sized islands. At the eastern end is Isla 

 Saona, 13 miles long and about 3 miles wide. A lagoon of brackish water occupies a portion of 

 the Island. Atttie western end of the south coast is Isla Beata and Isla Alta Vela. Much of 

 this coast, from Isla Saona to San Pedro de Macoris, is lined with high cliffs. Inshore shallows 

 and reefs make navigation difficult. Small indentations in the rocky cliffs form coves or 

 "caletas". These usually have sandy beaches. On proceeding vjestward, the shore becomes lower 

 and there are more sandy beaches. There is sufficient sheltered anchorage for small fishing 

 boats . 



From surveys made in 1937 and 1938 by Sr. Jose Uosqueiro Hanso, a technician emploj^d 

 by the Dominican Government, it appears that fairly extensive areas of muddy and sandy 

 bottoms are to be found on the south coast from Punta Magdalena to Punta Mortero and from 

 Punta Salinas to Punta Palenque. Bottcsn on the north coast varies frcm sandy to muddy and 

 to rock and coral reefs. 



Climate ; Hie island of Hispaniola is a land mass of sufficient size to influence the 

 tropical marine climate. The range in temperature is increased and rainfall is much affected 

 by the topography. The trade winds bring to the north coast a more equable marine climate 

 tlian that of the south and west coasts, where temperatures have reached 90 degrees F. or 

 higher in eveiy month of the year, with extremes of 100 degrees F. on the west coast in July 

 and August. Between December and March cool spells occur vdth temperatures of 60 degrees F. 

 or slightly below, but on the coast the average minimum temperatures of the coolest month 

 range from 65 degrees to 70 degrees, acconipanied by average daytime temperatures of 80 degrees 

 and above. At midsummer, the night temperatures average around 72 degrees F and day temperatures 

 about 92 degrees F. on the west coast, with somewhat warmer nights and cooler days on the remaind- 

 er of the coast, the smallest daily range being 8 degrees F. (77 degrees to 85 degrees) at Puerto 

 Plata, from July to September. 



Rainfall varies greatly from place to place, even on the coast. Thus, Barahona receives 

 only 20 to 25 inches of annual precipitationj the amounts rise to as much as 60 inches elsewhere 

 on the south coast and reach nearly 80 inches on the northeast coast. The rainy seasons .are 



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