THE CARIBBEAN AHEA — BRITISH HEST INDIES 



THE ST. VINCElNlT GRENADDJES 1/ 



General Conditions 



The fishery industries and ship-building are the bases of the economy of these islands, 

 with agriculture being subordinated to a very minor position of practically a subsistence 

 type. Ihese Islands produce fish not only for local consumption but also for sale in nearby 

 islands. In addition, whale, porpoise, and blackfish hunting is undertaken on a small scale. 



The present supply of fish is more thsin adequate and allows for export to other islands. 

 The fisheries of the St. Vincent Grenadines make use of about 125 boats, practically all of 

 the "whaleboat" type, with lengths up to 30 feet, built mainly in Bequia. None is equipped 

 with a motor. Approximately A30 fishermen are employed in these fisheries. Ihe chief methods 

 of fishing are by hand-lining and trolling. Harpoons are regularly carried in the larger 

 boats for the capture of porpoises, blackfish, marlin, and other large aquatic siniraals. In 

 addition, at Bequia, 10 haul seines are used. Minor forms of gear are fish-pots, castnets, 

 gill nets. The annual catch, most of which is marketed in other localities, is estimated at 

 450,000 pounds with a value of ?/i5,000. A significant proportion of this amount is corned. 



Any decrease in the yield of this fishery can be attributed to shortages of fishing 

 gesir, since most of the inhabitants of these islands have been fishermen for generations, 

 and there appears to have been very little diversion of labor to other work. 



The Grenadines are here regarded as the most promising area for expanding production 

 of the fisheries. An inmediate increase in the catch can be expected if adequate supplies 

 of fishing gear are provided. In addition, if the fmllest use of this gear is combined with 

 adeq\iate care for the fish caught, the production can be increased very considerably. While 

 the gear and methods \:ised are in general quite efficient, various modifications, such as the 

 use of out-riggers in trolling, would give a greater yield in this type of fishery. 



In order to utilize the increased catch, the svirplus coiild be salted for export. 



Recommendations 

 It is recommended that: 



1. Encouragement be given to the expansion of the fisheries in the St. Vincent Grenadines 

 mainly for export to augment food supplies in the neighboring Colonies. 



2. Hesh wire, seinetwine, handlines, trolling lines, hooks, rope, sail canvas, leader 

 wire and other accessories be made immediately available to the fishermen. 



3. Appropriate measures be taken immediately to give instruction to these islanders in 

 the latest methods of curing fish. 



A. Inter-island commerce in fish be relieved of all duties for there are no local pro- 

 ducers to be protected, and the net result is only a stultification of an indi:istry that should 

 be encouraged as a basic food producer. 



» 

 GRMAHA AMD CARRIACOU 



General Conditions 



The economy of Grenada is based on specialized agriculture and the fisheries may be re- 

 garded as a secondary source of food. In spite of this, however, this island is dependent on 

 fresh and salt fish as the cheapest source of protein food; and, even though there are plenty 



1/ These include Bequia, Cannouan, Union, Uustique, and a number of other small islands anc' 

 keys. 



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