THE CARIBBEAN AREA — BRITISH TOST INDIES 



Re conmendations 

 It is recommended that: 



1. Die local fishery industries be expanded to relieve the shortage of fresh and 

 salt fish, 



2. Ihe deficiencies in Imported fish products be made up as far as possible by locally- 

 produced fresh fish, 



3. The fishing industry be stimulated by making immediately available wire mesh for 

 fish pots, twine for haiil seines, fish-hooks, rope, sail canvas, and other necessary accesso- 

 ries. These supplies should be made available to fishermen of known ability at the lowest 

 possible cost. 



A wide range of controlled fish prices be instituted to allow higher prices for first- 

 grade species. This would stinulate the production of the higher-priced species for the 

 premium trade; and automatically, through the increased fishing effort, enlarge the yield 

 of lower-priced species for the low-income consumers. It is recommended that the maximum 

 retail price for first-grade fish be 16 cents per pound and that the maximum prices of 

 other fish be fixed accordingly, with possibly three or four grades to cater to the demands 

 of all existing classes of consumers. On no account should the prices of the cheapest 

 grades of fish be advanced, 



DOllINIGi 



General Conditions 



This Colony is relatively primitive in its economy and largely self-sufficient. Fish 

 is a staple article of diet, being consumed by all classes. In^sorted salt fish is not used 

 to any large extent. Competent observers report that there is no danger of an acute food 

 shortage on this island. 



The present fish supply is regarded as fairly adequate. Sales of fish are limited 

 since many families catch their own supplies, and there is little incentive for the establish- 

 ment of a ccomiercial fishery. Fishermen use dxigout canoes and bamboo fish pots of local 

 manufacture. About 50 ha\il seines are fished more or less regularly, and the catch is distri- 

 buted among the people helping with the fishing. It is estimated that there are about 50 

 canoes with 200 fishermen en^loyed in the commercial fisheries. The average annual production 

 of fish is about 200,000 pounds with a value of about $10,000. 



Itigratory fish are to be found near the Island in some quantity during certain seasons. 

 The best fishing area for these species is on the leeward side and in the deep channel between 

 Portsmouth and Saint's Islands (vrtiich lie just off the south end of Guadeloupe). Fishermen 

 froffl-Guadelope operate quite close to Dominica while engaging in this fishery. It is question- 

 able*whether Dominica can produce any fish for export, but there is no question that enough 

 can be produced for local consunption. 



Re commendations 

 It is recommended that: 



1. Because of its relative isolation from the other islands in the British West Indies 

 and its self-sufficiency, no immediate expansion of the fisheries be \mdertaken, 



2. In order to maintain the catch of fish at a normal level, it is reccramended that a 

 relatively small amount of seine twine, hooks, rope and sail canvas be nade available to the 

 fishermen. 



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