90 U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 



DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. 



PUERTO PLATA. 



[By W. A. Bickers, consul, August 27, 1921.] 



The local fishing industry is confined to a few men with small 

 boats who, in part, supply the coast towns with fresh fish. No 

 efi'orts are made to ship fresh fish to the towns in the interior nor to 

 dry or cure or preserve fish in any way nor are there any exports or 

 reexports of fishery products. 



The imports of fishery products are very important, as can be 

 seen from the following table of imports into the entire Republic 

 for the year 1920: 



The imports of fish in 1920 were about double those of the years 

 immediately preceding and will exceed the imports of any year for 

 many years to come, but from the above table it is evident that 

 American fish products predominate in this market, although it is 

 not likely that the small quantities secured from other sources can 

 be eliminated, as these quantities represent the individual preference 

 of small groups of Europeans resident here. Although quantities 

 of imported fish products were much greater than usual in 1920, the 

 percentages secured from various countries have shown very small 

 changes during the past years, as the United States has alwaj^s been 

 the source of supply for the bulk of the imports of this character. 



The bulk of the imports is composed of the cheaper grades of cod, 

 mackerel, and herring. The price of the article is more important 

 than the quality except for canned or preserved fish, as the poorer 

 classes can not afford to purchase this kmd of fishery product. 

 Canned or preserved fish of good quality is desired, as the wealthier 

 classes here are willing to pay high prices for the brands which meet 

 their favor. As the various kinds of fishery products are on sale in 

 all parts of the country, it is very doubtful if there is any way to mate- 

 rially increase the consumption. 



SANTO DOMINGO. 



(By Geo. A. Makinson, vice consul, September 3, 1921. J 



The inhabitants of the Dominican Republic, like the residents of all 

 other West Indian Islands, are heavy fish eaters, but as the fishing 

 industry in this country has not been developed beyond the embryo 

 stage it is unable to supply even the needs of the home market, and 

 appreciable quantities ol dried, smoked, and preserved fish products 

 are imported from other countries. 



The l)ominican fishing fleet consists of about 50 small sloops and 

 dories, manned by from two to four men each, none of which has been 

 especially designed for this trade. Gasoline boats are not used. 



