FISHERIES AND MARKET FOR FISHERY PRODUCTS IN MEXICO, ETC. 63 



means of transportation and distribution so enhance the cost as to make fish a luxury 

 rather than, as it may well be here, a staple food sold in such a manner and at a price 

 that would replace meat to a considerable degree, and thus be of a greater economic 

 value to the nation. 



Brazil is far behind other nations in the big problems of the fisheries, videlicet, 

 how best to secm-e cheap and efficient means of capture and distribution of marketable 

 fish, which will provide a regular and perpetual supply and be a continuously well- 

 paid remuneration with freedom from undue exploitation to the fishermen; to the con- 

 sumer a fair market price for both fresh and conserved fish sold under the best sanitary 

 precautions; and a just and reasonably secure return on the necessary capital and labor 

 required for economical development and maintenance of such a system of distribu- 

 tion as the climatic and local conditions require. 



Just as North America was developed by European colonists and foreign capital, 

 so to-day the same capital, augmented in the development of North America, is seek- 

 ing new fields of beneficence m Asia, Africa, and South America. Just as in North 

 America the slogan of "America for the Americans" had short vogue and has given 

 way to the broader and wiser policy of accepting and assimilating every capable 

 right-minded person and well-intentioned capitalist, whose object was to take part 

 in the wise development and conservation of the natural resources of the country 

 for the ultimate benefit of the nation and of a world-wide human interest, so it is to 

 be anticipated that the slogan of "Brazil is for the Brazilians, " now so conspicuously 

 placed before the fishermen, will ultimately make for growth of Brazil by demonstrat- 

 ing its futility as a basis for national prosperity and progress * * * if Brazil is 

 to attain and maintain her place amor^ the great nations of the world in the great 

 readjustments and developments into which we are now entering. 



Competent authorities agree that Brazil has a remarkable abundance of edible 

 fish in the cool waters of her coast and in the vastness of her rivers, which merely 

 wait wise utilization to become a great and permanent factor in her national wealth, 

 freeing her from a part or the whole of the burden of importing between fifteen and 

 twenty millions of dollars' worth of fish annually from other countries. 



It is probable that the Government will in the near future assure conditions which 

 will make possible the employment of increased local and foreign capital — in securing 

 cheaper methods of capture and distribution of fish — ^in the development of this 

 great national asset. At present the normal average low retail price to the consumer in 

 Rio de Janeiro is about 2^ cents per pound for herring, ranging upward through sharks, 

 rays, mullet, drmn, bass, bluefish, seriola (amberfish), groupers, bonito, snappers, 

 to robalo and Spanish mackerel at 50 cents per pound . 



The use of the type of fish traps commonly known in the United States as a " pound 

 trap" with one or more leaders is prohibited. The size of mesh used in seines is 

 regulated. The fishermen must be either native born or natm^alized Brazilians. 

 The wisdom and even the constitutionality of these laws is being questioned. 



Following are extracts on fisheries from "Annual Report on Com- 

 merce and Industries for 1919," Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, November 

 10, 1920: 



In 1919 the Ministry of Marine equipped the auxiliary cruiser Jose Bonifacio for 

 a trip along the coast to study the conditions of the industry with a view to intro- 

 ducing more modern methods. 



During the war the Amazon River developed the piracuru fishery serving as sub- 

 stitute for codfish, which it had been difficult to import from abroad. The fishing 

 industry in the Amazon River, at least for export purposes to other places, is confined 

 to salting and drying this one fish, the piracuru. Other varieties are only locally 

 consumed. 



Only one important firm, located in Acarahu, Ceara, is engaged to a limited extent 

 in salting and preserving fish. However, due to its being unable to secm-e material 

 for canning fish, it has suspended operations temporarily. Various fish-canning fac- 

 tories were established in Rio Grande do Sul, and salted fish is now selUng in bales, 

 cases, and barrels. Rio de Janeiro is manifesting a certain amount of interest in the 

 preservation of fish, and while no great developments can be predicted at least two 

 concerns are ordering machinery for canning fish. 



The Federal Government requires that all fishermen, as well as their boats, should 

 be registered. * * * A project is contemplated to form a cooperative colony of 

 Brazilian fishermen who are duly registered with the local authorities in places where 

 at least 40 people earn their living by fishing. The object is to erect a school of fisheries 

 for the members and their children, shipyards for naval construction and repairs, and 



107940°— 22 5 



