THE FISHERIES AND FISH TRADE OF PORTO RICO. 383 



JOBOS HARBOR. 



This small and quite good harbor is a few miles west of Arroyo. 

 A few fishermen operate in the near-by waters on each side of the bay. 

 The apparatus used and species taken are similar to those previously 

 reported from Arroyo. The catch is disposed of at the city of Gua- 

 yama and the surrounding sugar plantations; at the former to dealers 

 at an average of 5 cents a pound; when peddled out at the plantations, 

 8 to 12 cents a pound is received. Not much system is used in disposing 

 of the catch, sales being by the bunch, piece, single fish, or the lot. The 

 catch is chiefly made by pots that are used inside of the hsty. Haul 

 seines are fished occasionally, but the rough water on the outside beaches 

 interferes with their use. The fishermen divide their time between 

 fishing and work on the sugar plantations. 



Fish are reported of an average abundance both in the bay and the 

 outside waters. Spiny lobsters are reported quite plentiful but are 

 little cared for. Small-sized oysters are quite plentiful in the lagoons 

 of the vicinity but receive very little attention. 



The Guamani River, that has its outlet not far from Jobos Bay, is at 

 times fished by the inha))itants living near its banks for their own use. 

 Eels are plentiful in the river and are taken as needed by eel pots. 



HUMACAO. 



The district of Humacao, at the eastern end of Porto Rico, is cred- 

 ited with a population of 88,501; the city of Humacao with 4,428. 

 The latter is 5 miles inland from the plaj^a or landing at which is 

 located the custom-house, several stores, and a small settlement of 

 fishermen. The waters of this region are quite well supplied with a 

 large number of species of fine food-fishes. Dry and pickled fish are 

 received from the dealers of San Juan, Ponce, and Mayaguez. The 

 fishermen and dealers find a good market for all fishery products 

 at the city of Humacao and at the numerous large sugar plantations 

 of the vicinity. This section of the island suficred severely by the 

 hurricane of 1899, the local fishing ])usiness being almost ruined. 

 Many fishermen and their families lost their lives, and all lost their 

 fishing boats and fishing gear. Sugar plantations were for the time 

 ruined and all business paralyzed. 



The fishermen receive an average of 5 cents a pound for their catch. 

 About one-third of the time is lost from the water being too rough for 

 their small boats. The men appear satisfied with their small earnings 

 that give them an average of $125 a year, an amount that could be 

 more than doul^lod with more energy given to the business. Only 

 small sailboats with 3 men each and rowboats with 2 men are used. 

 Most of the catch is by pots that are seldom baited. Hooks lines, 

 and nets arc but little used. All fishing is near shore, the extreme 

 distance being some 4 miles. 



