THE CARIBBEAN AREA — BRITISH 'vVEST INDIES 



ST. LUCIA 



General Conditions 



The economy of the coastal region of this island is affected to a large extent by the 

 fishery industries. Fish is a staple article in the diet and is used by all classes. Im- 

 ported salt cod has been an important factor in the diet of the laboring classes. 



In normal times, the catch for the island is about 750,000 pounds annually, valued at 

 $75,000, and this is produced by about 200 boats and 725 fishermen. Imports of fishery 

 products are in the neighborhood of 600,000 pounds annually, valued at about *39,000. This 

 gives a total supply of 1,350,000 pounds of all kinds of fishery products. Consumption in 

 whole, fresh-fish equivalents is approximately /V5 poxrnds per person per year. 



The majority of the fishing boats are of the dugout canoe type, but a much better 

 craft called the "whaleboat" is also used. The dominant types of gear are beach seines for 

 the in-shore waters, and handlines and trolling lines for the offshore waters. The available 

 bottoai-fishing area is limited to a narrow coastal shelf and fishing is confined almost en- 

 tirely to the leeward side of the island, I-ishing is on a day-to-day basis vdth but little 

 opportunity for the carrying over of stocks. The fish are transported to market mainly in 

 the fishermen's own boats since there are practically no good highways for truck transportation. 

 There are two important selling points on the island, Castries and Vieux Fort. Fish may be 

 sold at other points, either on the beaches as they are landed or cansiuned on a more or less 

 family subsistence and barter basis. Limited quantities of fish are gutted and lightly salted 

 and sold inland by ha'trtcers. 



The reduction in the supply of fish is due to (a) restrictions placed on fishing activi- 

 ties by military necessity, (b) attraction of the fishermen to other more remunerative work, 

 and (c) shortages in supplies of fishing gear. 



The present fishing fleet is capable of producing mare fish, Ihe pelagic fisheries 

 show definite possibilities for expansion and could be more fully exploited by an increase in 

 the number of boats locally-called "whaleboats" . The landings of edible marine products could 

 be further augmented by captures of porpoise and black-fish. It is reported that construction 

 work is tapering off and this will mean the return of many fishermen to their normal employ- 

 ment. A temporary surplus of fish could be held for possibly as long as a week in cold-storage 

 facilities which are already available in Castries. The demand for fish is so great and the 

 lack of meat so acute that it appears impossible that present fishing effort could produce more 

 than a temporary surplus. 



Re commendations 

 It is recommended that: 



1. The fishery industry be stimulated immediately. 



2. The discarded cable wire at hand be made immediately available to the fishermen for 

 construction of fish-pots. If demonstrations or samples of draivn-vdre pots be necessary, they 

 should be provided, Seine twine, hooks, leader wire, hand lines, rope, and sail canvas should 

 be furnished to the fishermen at the lowest possible cost. A direct subsidy of one to two cents 

 per pound might be paid to the fishermen to enable them to defray the cost of gear advanced to 

 them by the local government, 



3. The local government assist in the construction of the type of boat known as the "whale- 

 boat". These boats to be rented or sold to fishermen on convenient terms. The design of these 

 boats should be bettered by the addition of greater sheer, higher top-sides and half decks. 



Urn An organized system for the collection of fish from the relatively isolated fishing 

 villages be instituted by means of motor boats equipped with ice boxes. 



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