FISHERIES AND MARKET FOR FISHERY PRODUCTS IN MEXICO, ETC. 5 



that this article is only used during Lent, and so the consumption is 

 very small compared with that of sardines and salmon. 



Very few complaints have come to the attention of this office 

 regarding the quality of American sardines and salmon. One serious 

 complaint has been received several times regarding sardines which 

 were supposed to be packed in oil but which sometimes arrived with 

 scarcely a drop in the cans. Whether the oil leaks out of the cans or 

 is not placed in them is not known. It is suggested that the matter 

 be given serious attention by manufacturers, as it appears that the 

 sardines soon spoil when there is no oil in the cans. 



As nearly the total present amount consumed is imported from the 

 United States, it is only necessary for the American manufacturer to 

 fill orders according to samples and to exercise thoroughness in taking 

 orders, in packing, billing, and shipping of goods in order not only 

 to retain the trade in hand but to increase it as well. 



CIUDAD JUAREZ. 



[By John W. Dye, consul, August 18, 1921.] 



There are no fisheries in the Ciudad Juarez consular district nor any 

 exports or reexports of fishery products. Small quantities of pre- 

 served and canned fish, principally salmon and sardines, are imported 

 and consumed in the district. Most of these come from the United 

 States in small lots, largely from El Paso, Tex., just across the inter- 

 national border from this city. There is little prospect of increasing 

 the sale of any fish products in the district, as the population is small 

 and the people poor. A list of El Paso merchants selling fish to 

 Mexico may be obtained from the chamber of commerce, El Paso, 

 Tex. 



GUAYMAS. 



[By Bartley F. Yost, consul, August 19, 1921.] 



In their seasons considerable quantities of fish are shipped fresh, 

 packed in ice, and in a dried salted state. The principal varieties of 

 export fish caught in the Gulf of California near Guaymas are the 

 white bass, black bass, and red snappers. The Spanish mackerel and 

 ''bonito" remain unexploited as far as commercial fishing is con- 

 cerned. Most Mexicans are adverse to eating ''scaleless" fish, such 

 as catfish and "pompano." Among the other varieties of fish found 

 in the Gulf in more or less ample quantities are the rock cod, cabrillos, 

 mullet, sardines, "halibut," sharks, sand dabs, chanos (milkfish), 

 porpoise, and sundry small fishes of more or less questionable food 

 value. There are also large oyster beds found at Lobos Island, 

 south of Guaymas. Shrimp are plentiful after October. Turtles 

 are found at all seasons of the year. The catch of spiny lobster is 

 unimportant. 



Oysters are taken mostly for local consumption. They are not 

 favorably received in the United States because of the dark fringe. 

 Despite this fact considerable quantities of fresh oysters packed in 

 1 -gallon cans, well iced, were shipped to El Paso, Tex., last winter, 

 sold well and brought good prices. They are of excellent quality. 

 The white oyster, not considered so good here, is most in favor for 

 export and, as a canned product, is said to equal the best oysters 

 from the Atlantic coast. A small packing plant located at Guaymas 



