2 U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 



INTRODUCTION. 



In August, 1921, a questionnaire on the fisheries and market con- 

 ditions for fishery products was forwarded by the Department of 

 Commerce, through the Department of State, to American consuls 

 in Mexico, Central America, South America, Bermuda, and West 

 Indies. The purpose of the inquiry was to obtain information on the 

 principal local fisheries in each consular district; local methods of 

 preservation and preparation for market; character and value of 

 exports ; character, value, and countries of origin of imports ; reasons 

 for preference for a particular country's products, such as salmon, 

 sardines, and cod; measures necessary to mcrease imports from the 

 United States; and reference to literature extant in each district 

 devoted to its fisheries. The replies contained so much information 

 which should prove useful to the trade that it was deemed desirable 

 to include the more important matter m a printed report for the 

 use and guidance of Americans interested in the development of 

 trade with the countries included within the scope of this inquiry. 

 In such a report it is desirable that the facts reported be made known, 

 so that American business may meet any objections raised and may 

 be cognizant of opinions relative to their products. 



In some instances consular officers submitted with their reports 

 articles prepared by others familiar with the local fisheries. Con- 

 sidering the large number of contributors and the impracticability of 

 returning revised manuscript to each for examination without greatly 

 delaying the publication of the report, an occasional error, particu- 

 larly in the statistical matter, may be discovered. In all cases the 

 name of the consul or other contributor is given in connection with 

 the report. A selected bibliography compiled from these reports 

 and other sources is appended for the use of those desirous of obtain- 

 in^more detailed information on the fisheries of these countries. 



During the past year the bureau has issued a series of market sur- 

 veys on the trade in fresh and frozen fishery products and related 

 marketing considerations in certain of our primary markets, namely, 

 Pittsburgh, Pa.; Louisville, Ky.; Chicago, 111.; Minneapolis and St. 

 Paul, Minn.; and Seattle, Wash., for the use of the trade m increasing 

 the consumption of fish and as a guide for educational work and the 

 proper conduct of the business. 



MEXICO. 



MATAMOROS. 



[By G. R. Willson, consul, August 17, 1921.] 



The only fishery product of the Matamoros consular district con- 

 sists of several varieties of fresh fish taken from the Gulf of Mexico, 

 about 25 miles distant, by means of seines or hook and line. The 

 fish are preserved by the use of ice and are transported by trucks to 

 Brownsville, Tex., where they are either disposed of locally or shipped 

 to interior points in the United States. Exports of fresh fish to the 

 United States for the period January 1 to June 30, 1921, amounted 

 to 98,375 pounds, valued at $10,000. 



The imports of fishery products, consisting of cheap canned salmon 

 and sardines, are entirely from the United States and are practically 



