16 U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 



FRONTERA. 



[By Harry W. Pascoe, vice consul, September 20, 1921.] 



The many rivers of this section furnish an abundance of fish which 

 supplies the local markets, but none is exported. Shrimp in large 

 quantities are found off the coast, but these are used entirely for local 

 consumption. 



The fish imported consist almost entirely of canned products, such 

 as sardines of all kinds, salmon, oysters, lobster, and anchovies. 

 Some dried cod is also imported. The imports come chiefly from the 

 United States and Spain; some come from Norway and Sweden. 

 Dried cod sells for about 25 to 30 cents. United States currency, per 

 pound; canned salmon, for about 20 cents per can; sardines, for from 

 20 to 30 cents per can; oysters, for about 20 cents per can; and lobster, 

 for about 65 cents per can. 



Between the Mexican ports of Puerto Mexico and Frontera lie 



three river bars, Santa Ana, Dos Bocas, and Chiltepec, across whose 



sands pour immense quantities of water. In each case rather large 



lagunas (lakes) are found at the mouths of these rivers, in which 



several varieties of fish abound, as well as oysters and shrimp. The 



native oyster is much larger than the Louisiana cove oyster and 



has an excellent flavor. It may be found in sufficient quantities to 



warrant exploitation for the establishment of canneries. The 



robalo, "shad," sardine, and several native fish known locally as 



huachinango, lisa, pargo mulato, and cazon, abound in these lagunas 



also in such quantities as to merit the attention of canning firms 



seeking an extension of their business. Due to the tropical climate 



the oysters and fish must be handled rapidly whether mtended for 



canning or for refrigeration. The season for most of these varieties 



is from April to September. The "shad" is the most numerous. 



These lay eggs in masses weighing from 3 to 7 poimds which may 



be made to rival caviar. Several kinds of turtles are also found. 



The water on these bars varies in depth from 5 to 9 feet deep, and 



only small schooners call there. A voyage of 12 hours is required 



to reach either Frontera or Puerto Mexico, the nearest customs 



ports. 



^ PROGRESO. 



[By O. Gaylord Marsh, consul, August 26, 1921.] 



The principal local fishery product in Yucatan and Campeche, 

 Mexico, is fresh fish, mainly yellow jack, pompano, red gurnard, 

 Spanish mackerel, red snapper, jewfish, red grouper, moharra, 

 robalo, stingray, dogfish, weakfish, mullet, and grunts. Of the 

 foregoing dogfish, red grouper, red snapper, and pompano have 

 the largest sale. Fishing for this market is carried on off the port 

 of Progreso, on the Campeche banks, and at the Alacran Reef. 

 The smaller settlements do fishing at various points on the coast. 



The largest number of fish are caught on hook and line, some are 

 speared, and some, principally pompano and mullet, are caught 

 in nets. The fish are kept m wells in the smacks and brought to the 

 market fresh as needed. Some fish, principally dogfish and pompano, 

 are preserved by smoking, salting, or cooking. There are no exporta- 

 tions offish. Lobsters, octopus, squid, white turtle, turtle eggs, and 

 mullet roe are also offered for sale m the market by the fishermen. 



Considerable quantities of American canned salmon are imported. 

 Canned and dried codfish of American origin is offered for sale by 



