■IHE CARIBBEAN AREA — BRITISH TOST INDIES. 



fishery industrtes, also, includes thouseinds of market women, hucksters, amd other persons. 

 Boat-builders, outfitters, and others are less directly concerned but derive considerable 

 benefit from the fishery industries. Moreover, there are thousands of families living on 

 or near the coast ivho engage in non-commercial fishing for their table. The regular fisher- 

 men are characterized by a self-reliant and independent outlook, and many are capable of 

 adapting themselves to new techniques. 



Trinidad contributes 57 percent of the total catch, the Leeward Islsuids and the Windward 

 Islands 17 percent each, and Barbados 9 percent. 



Available supplies of fishery products have decreased to about one half of the normal 

 level since the beginning of the War. This is due to (a) greatly reduced imports of salt and 

 canned fish, and (b) curtailment of local fishing effort. 



The fish shortage combines with corresponding decreases in meat supplies to create a 

 serious and critical situation. Immediate and drastic action must be undertaken to check the 

 progressive deterioriation in the food situation and particularly that of protein foods. If 

 immediate action is not undertaken, there will be rapid decline both in nutritional standards 

 and in morale. 



Imports of fishery products have normally been the mainstay of the protein diet of 

 virtually the entire popxilation. Shipments of these products must be maintained at as high 

 a level as possible. 



Shortage of fishery imports has not stimulated the local fishery industries correspond- 

 ingly; actually, the contributions provided by these industries have also declined. Shortage 

 of gear replacements and attraction of fishermen to more remunerative work have left the local 

 fishery industries in a very serious condition. 



While present produc tion is not more than one third to one half below that of normal, it 

 is anticipated that almost an entire cessation of production will ensue if no steps are taken 

 to remedy the situation. 



The decline in fishery industries can be counteracted immediately by (a) providing gear 

 to the fishermen and (b) adjusting controlled prices to provide' a greater incentive. 



The marine resources are capable of making an increased contribution to the food supply. 

 A prograiii of developinent begun immediately could, within a few months, contribute materially 

 to the fish production. This program should include (a) a sea-going survey of commercial 

 fisher:; operations, (b) parallel technological development to convert West Indian fishery 

 resources to the best possible coramercial uses, (c) practical demonstrations to the fisher- 

 men of proved techniques developed by the above, and (d) government assistance in financing 

 approved fish-production projects. 



The fisheries of the Tu'est Indies have been neglected in the past and, therefore, have 

 not contributed to the econrany of the region to the extent of their capabilities. 



To adjust this over the coming years, a long-raiige development and management program 

 should be instituted by the Colonial Governments. Ihis should provide for (a) collection of 

 adequate fishery statistics, (b) stimulation of production, (c) adequate conservation 

 measures, and (d) elimination of uneconomic and unhygienic marketing practices. 



The findings of the survey party are interpreted in the light of war-emergency con- 

 ditions. The recommendations derived therefrom are designed to take care of immediate needs 

 for the maintenance of fish supplies. 



Food shortages, population increases, break-down of transport facilities, increased 

 labor demands, and enlarged purchasing power make \irgent recommendations necessary. Advant- 

 age must be taken of every possible means of increasing the supply of locally produced foods, 

 and pa rticular].y of animal proteins. The demand for such food is not now satisfied and can- 



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