THE CARIBBEAN AREA — DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 



The Dcminican Republic, as most other Caribbean countries, has thus far developed 

 fisheries based on her comparatively stationary populations of bottom fishes. Trtiile some 

 migratory fishes are caught, the migrant species are not fished for intensively. Virtually, 

 all fish are caught with simple gear and boats that are not adaptable to mass production 

 methods. 



It is questionable whether the present markets of the Dominican Republic would support 

 a mass-production fishery, even if the resources v;ere sufficiently boxmtiful to provide 

 great quantities of fish. However, fish within price limits that the laborer could afford 

 to pay wo\ild be an advantage to the economy of the Republic as well as to health of the 

 people . 



Mass-production methods might provide siifficient volume of fish at low prices to develop 

 a considerably increased demand within the Republic, as well as to supply fish for export, 

 fresh, frozen or salted. Limited opportunities may also lie in export of specialties such as 

 spiny lobster and shrimp, 



GAME nSHING 



Certain waters off the Dominican Republic offer excellent opportxmities for game fishing, 

 and a steadily increasing gro\;p of residents are enjoying this sport. Off the Monte Cristl 

 Bank, sailfish, marlin, and tuna angling is available. In Samana Bay, tarpon, orevallies, 

 auid other species are present and in Mona Channel, tuna, bonito, Spanish mackerel, barracuda 

 and kingfish may be taken. On the south shore, Spsmish mackerel, kingfish, grouper, snapper, 

 barracuda, and other species are available to anglers. 



With excellent hotels, good communications, and modern facilities, the Dominican Republic 

 offers attractive vacation possibilities to sport fishermen. 



CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 



Waters of the Dcminican Republic support sufficient resources in fish and shellfish to 

 justiiy further fishery development. Locally-produced fish seems to be available in many parts 

 of the Republic, but prices generally are higher than the majority of the population can afford 

 to pay. Much more fish could be marketed if prices were lowered. 



^ffith lower prices, a considerable expansion of the fresh-fish industry would result. Per- 

 haps the basic limiting factor of all is the lack of sufficient Icsr-cost production. This 

 might be remedied by introducing more efficient means of capturing fish. With increased pro- 

 duction, unit costs would be lowered and this would enable the salting of surpluses for export. 

 Both fresh and salt fish could be sold in Puerto Rico and possibly in Haiti. 



It is recommended that the Dominican Republic continue its governmental activities in the 

 collectiOTi of fishery statistics and other operations. Present governmental fishery research 

 and control is vested with the Secretary of State for Agriculture, Industry and Labor. This 

 Department collects fisherj' statistics and makes investigations. 



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