THE CARIBBEAN AREA — BRITISH T^EST INDIES 



of other foods on the market, the lack of animal proteins will doubtless make itself felt in 

 the reduction of efficiency in the laboring classes. The supplies of fish to Grenada have 

 dropped off appreciably. 



The jisheries of Grenada CTiploy about AOO fishermen and about 110 fishing craft. The 

 boats are of relatively good design, of similar construction, but smaller than those of Bequia. 

 The principal tj'pes of gear are handlines and trolling lines.- Haul seines are used to some 

 extent but fishpots are relatively unimportant. The annual catch approximates 4^00,000 pounds 

 to the value of about .'54^0,000. Annual imports are 88/+, 000 pounds valued at $60,000, and the 

 per-capita consumption of all classes of fishery products, based on whole, fresh-fish equiva- 

 lents, is in the neighborhood of 4-9 pounds annually. 



The great bulk of the fish is sold on Saturdays, with comparatively little being sold 

 during the other days of the week. Ihe inportant marketing centers are Grenville, St. 

 George's, Sauteiirs, and Gouyave, with Grenville serving the largest population. The Grenville 

 market is supplied by sloop shipments, chiefly of corned fish, from Carriacou. Fresh fish is 

 brought principally from Gouyave and is transported by hawker. The St. George's market is 

 supplied chiefly by local fishermen and receives considerable amounts from Gouyave and other 

 small fishing centers on the leeward coast, 



A marked decrease in catch has been caused by emigration of fishermen to Trinidad and by 

 acute shortages of fishing gear and supplies. 



There has been an almost complete cessation of salt-fish imports from the North Atlantic 

 area. While this development has not affected higher- in cane consumers, it has decreased the 

 food supplies available to the lower-income groups who have relied on this type of food as a 

 basic item in their diet. Thus feir, there have been no adequate svgjplies of acceptable sub- 

 stitutes. 



In oixier to maintain even the present reduced catch of fish, it will be immediately 

 necessary to make fishing gear and supplies available to the fishermen; for, if this is not 

 done, fishing must soon be terminated except for very minor activities. 



Recommendations 

 It is recommended that: 



1. An attempt be made to restore the fisheries to the former level, but at least to 

 maintain them at their present level. 



2. Fishing gear consisting of mesh wire, seine twine, handlines, trolling lines, hooks, 

 sail canvas, rope, and other essentials be made available to the fishermen as soon as possible. 

 In order to compensate to seme extent, for the decreased number of fishermen, a motor vessel be 

 procured, capable of towing small craft to and from the fishing grounds. This larger vessel 

 would, also, fish. It would serve as a depot for the catch which would oe cleaned and iced on 

 board. It might be found practicable by this means to increase the length of the fishing trips 

 by remaining on the grounds for several days. In addition, the larger mother vessel might 

 operate a number of large fish-pots, 



TiaNIDAD 



General Conditions 



Fish normally constitutes a very important part of the food supply of Trinidad. It is 

 particularly important as a low-priced source of animal protein. In 1940 imports of fishery 

 products into Trinidad totaled 6-1/3 million pounds, valued at $650,000, There is an estimat- 

 ed local, fresh-fish production of 6 million pounds, valued at about $600,000. In vhole, 

 fresh-fish equivalents, the normal per-capita consumption of fishery products in Trinidad 

 approximates 68 pounds auinually. 



About 2,100 fishermen, utilizing 600 small fishing craft, including 200 boats equipped 

 with outboard motors, engage in commercial fishing off the coasts of Trinidad in normal times. 



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