SURINAM ^' 



The Surinam shrimp catch is almost 

 entirely sea bobs, the cooked peeled meats of which 

 average more than a hundred to the pound. One 

 company has an exclusive right for 15 years to ex- 

 port the catch in excess of 88,200 pounds annually. 

 The present catch of about 1 million pounds, heads- 

 on weight, can probably be increased to 5 or 6 

 million poimds. 



GOfMERCIAL SPECIES AND FISHING GROUNDS 



The sea bob, Xlphopeneus kroyeri , is by far the predominant 

 species on the nursery grounds in Surinam. The white and brown shrimp, 

 Penaeus schmitti and P. aztecus, occur in the area but comprise less 

 than 1 percent of the catch. Experimental fishing along the entire 

 coast during April-September, 1953, with an otter trawl was reported to 

 have yielded only about 2 percent Penaeus. The white and brown shrimp 

 are reported to be more abiindant near the French Guiana border and less 

 abundant towards the west. All shrimp are called "sara-sara." 



The shrimp are caught by trap nets and pin seines in the 

 rivers, near the mouths, and along the beaches near the river mouths. 

 About 600 fishermen work full-time catching both shrimp and fish by 

 these means. The trap net, "fuiken" or Chinese shriinp net, is used 

 principally for shrimp, and the pin seine, a long wall of webbing 

 anchored to a series of stationary poles, for fish; but the two gears 

 catch both shrimp and fish. The trap net is operated on the outgoing 

 and incoming tides, v;hile the pin seine is used only on falling tides. 



56/ The survey of Surinam was made during April 1956, and this date 

 is implied when current events or prices are alluded to. 



153 



