THE CARIBBEAI^ AREA — DOHNICAN REPUBLIC 



Fishing Gear 



There are no data regarding the actual nianber and kind of fishing apparatus in use) 

 however, it is known that the principal types of gear are boach seines (chinchorros), fish- 

 pots (nasas), castneta (atarrajas), and hook and line, used both for bottom fishing and for 

 trolling. 



The chinchorros are not large and are handmade from imported materials. There are 

 probably none larger than 100 to 150 meters in length. A regulation states that such nets 

 must have minimum bar measures of 2 centimeters (about 2" stretched measure) in the bag, 

 J* centimeters (about 3.2" stretched) in the remainder of the bunt, and 6 centimeters (about 

 5" stretched) in the wings. 



The nets are set from small boats in a circle facing the beach. A crew of 5 to 12 men 

 is needed. The nets are hauled in by hand frcm the beach, trapping any fish in the ground 

 covered by the sweep of the net. A fairly smooth and regular bottom is required. Chinchorros 

 cannot be used successfully vdiere surf conditions are heavy. 



Atarrayas are used quite generally and require the services of only one man. They are 

 fished in shallow water and the catches are quite small. Regulations specify that castnets 

 used for catching fish for sale must have a minimum bar measure of 16 millimeters (about 

 1-1//+" stretched) and for catching fish for bait, 10 millimeters (about 3/4" stretched). 

 These nets are knitted by the fishemen from imported materials. They vary considerably in 

 size, some may have a spread of 15 feet but usually they are smaller. 



Fish pots or nasas are of the same general type as used elsewhere. They are constructed 

 with a wood framework covered either with woven, split bamboo or by chicken wire. In most 

 general use is the one-tunnel type with the shape of a broad arrovrtiead. These are fished on 

 the bottom in rocky or reef areas. Usually they are not buoyed. 



Hook and line gear is used as desired by the individual fisherman mth considerable 

 Variation as to rigging. Materials are imported. Bottom fishing is carried on from small 

 boats either suichored or drifting over suitable bottom. Trolling is conducted from sail- 

 boats and one to three lines are used at the surface. 



Harpoons are employed, but their use is limited by law to sharks and rays; and fish 

 spears must not have less than five centimeters between the three prongs. Regulations are 

 also in force for minimum mesh sizes of certain types of gill nets, for shrimp drags, trammel 

 nets, for fish trawls, and for paranzella-type nets. 



Fishing with dynamite or with poisons is strictly prohibited. In addition, building of 

 weirs or other obstructions is not permitted. Dragging or trawling ra.thin 600 feet of the 

 mouths of rivers, ports and estuaries is prohibited, and the use of any form of gear other 

 than hook and line in pot holes and pools in rivers is also proscribed. 



Various technicians have recommended the use of trawl nets for bottom fishing in 

 various areas — ^particularly on the south coast, irtiere they have reported areas of mud and 

 sand bottoms. Apart from the hazards to the nets which, doubtless, would be encountered in 

 the way of isolated rocks and coral heads, it has been found that in tropical waters clear 

 bottom areas are singularly lacking in amounts of fish to make such operations worth while. 

 Some fish may be caught but the supply is quickly exhausted. This has been demonstrated by 

 the work of the experimental fishing vessel (the W. B. Lewis) of tihe Puerto Rican Division 

 of Fish and Game, on the west coast of Puerto Rico, 



Hie present types of gear appear to be sufficiently productive to supply the present 

 market, but any great increase in fish production must look to more productive types of gear. 



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