FISHERIES AND MARKET FOR FISHERY PRODUCTS IN MEXICO, ETC. 65 



pounds of tinned fish were imported, over 50 per cent of which was 

 divided equally among Portuguese, Italian, and Spanish imports, the 

 United States supplying about 768 pounds. Sardines from Portugal 

 and Spain are the most appreciated in this market and, together with 

 Italy, that preference is easily explained because of the predominant 

 influence of those countries among the people of Sao Paulo. North 

 American salmon is also extremely appreciated but is very little sold 

 because of the excessive price. The reason that salmon and sardines 

 from the United States are not sold in greater quantities can be 

 summed up in one word — price. If American companies were to com- 

 bine on having a warehouse in this city and send down in sufficient 

 quantities to cut the cost down to the lowest margin the goods would 

 unquestionably sell well, because American canned salmon is consid- 

 ered a very fine dish, and its appearance on one's table is considered 

 an indication of real extravagance, which it certainly is in the light 

 of the present comparative rate of Brazilian milreis in terms of 

 American dollars. 



SANTOS. 



pSy Herndon W. Goforth, vice consul, April 25, 1922.] 



Various kinds of fresh fish, oysters, mussels, shrimp, and turtles 

 are found in the rivers, estuaries, bays, and ocean about the port of 

 Santos. These fish products are said to be plentiful, but recent 

 legislation by the Federal Government has made it compulsory for 

 all fisherman to take out licenses before being permitted to engage in 

 fishing. This has driven all independent fishermen from the fields, 

 has practically killed shipments to the city of Sao Paulo, and has 

 made fresh fish a luxury hard to get at any price in the local markets. 



Fish are caught in drag nets of from 1 to 2 inch mesh, shrimp in nets 

 of one-half inch mesh, and oysters and mussels are taken with hooks, 

 grapples, etc., wielded by hand. Only a very limited portion of the 

 catch is cured, and such curing as is done is chiefly by drying in the 

 sun. The entire catch is at present easily disposed of at as high 

 prices as fresh fish, but a company recently has been formed at 

 Santos for exploiting the fishing industry and establishing a curing 

 and canning plant. 



There is no exportation of fishery products from Santos, although 

 considerable quantities of fresh fish formerly were sent to Sao Paulo, 

 the capital of this State. These shipments have fallen off greatly 

 since the fiscalization of the fishing industry, which resulted in the 

 requirement that fishermen be duly organized and pay heavy license 

 fees. 



The following figures, published by the State government of Sao 

 Paulo, show the total importation of fish and fish products through 

 the port of Santos during the years 1919 and 1920. It should be 

 remarked that only about 5 per cent of the quantities represented 

 by these figures were consumed in Santos, the remaining 95 per cent 

 having been shipped by rail to the city of Sao Paulo and there con- 

 sumed or distributed to other cities. 



