374 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



of vessols, iind other work. During- the past fc^v•3'ear,s a steady 

 demand for labor on shore at increased wage.s has induced the most 

 enterprising of the lisheiinen to give more time to shore work at the 

 expense of the fisheries. 



The only l)oats employed in the fisheries of Porto Rico are small 

 open sail or row boats, and these are used only when the weather 

 conditions are favorable. 



The total consumption of fish-food products in Porto Rico during- 

 1902 and the average amount per capita were as follows: 



Kind. 



Imported, cured 



Local catch of fresh fish 



20, 503, 507 

 2,169,770 



Average 



pounds per 



capita. 



21i 



2i 



SAN .TUAN. 



The city of San Juan is but poorly supplied with fresh fish, sold 

 from two stalls in the city market and to a small extent by street vend- 

 ors, who carry their stock on their shoulders suspended from a pole, 

 a small pair of scales completing- the outfit. The market prices for 

 vindressed fish range from S to 12 cents a pound, the fishermen receiv- 

 ing an a\'erag-e of 5 cents a pound. 



The local fishermen of 1902 numbered 25, having- 10 small boats. 

 Their aggregate catch amounted to 120,000 pounds, valued at $(5, 000. 

 This catch was all by hook and line and most of it from the waters of 

 San Juan Harbor, the .'species being the same as those taken b\' the 

 neighboring- fishermen of Palo Seco, which furnishes the chief supply 

 to the citizens of San rluan. 



PALO SECO. 



This small fishing village is at the mouth of Bayamon River, nearlj' 

 opposite the city of San Juan and the entrance to its harbor. During 

 1902 the fishermen numbered 80, with some $6,000 invested in boats and 

 fishing gear. Their catch amounted to 280, OOi) pounds, valued at §ir>,.SOO. 

 They appear satisfied with a small income Avhich might be largely 

 increased ])y working more continuously. Of the 80 fishermen, the 

 number daily engaged in fishing is said not to average over 20. The 

 catch is in the waters of the harbor, and, at times, by trawls, hand 

 lines, and ti'olling a few miles outside of the harbor, and is niarketed 

 at San Juan. This is one of the few places wher(^ fish are sold l)y 

 weight, averaging the fishermen 6 cents a pound gross. Fish are 

 fairly abundant at all seasons. 



The fishing apparatus consists of haul-seines of 125 to 150 fathoms 

 each, drift gill-nets 150 fathoms each, trawls with 150 hooks each, and 

 hand lines with '^ or 4 hooks each, used in deep water. Fish pots have 

 l)een discontinued. 



