384 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



Spiny lobsters of 1 to 6 pounds weight arc ({uite plentiful. They are 

 taken by pots, and at night they arc taken on coral reefs of the neigh- 

 boring islands by hand, a torch and forked stick only being used. 



Fish pots are anchored in 2 to 10 fathoms of water from near shore 

 out to a distance of 4- miles. 



The catch by apparatus includes the following species: 



Pot!<: Red goat, runner, Nassau jjrouper, red hind, red grouper, eatalufa, gray snapper, 

 dog snapper, eandil, sehooliuaster, red snapper, lane snapper, niargate, pluina, 

 l)oea Colorado or red-mouth tlsh, red parrot, capitaii, spiny lobster, yellow 

 goat, rot-k beauty, yellow-spotted eel, old wife, spade-tish, blue parrot, marii)Osa, 

 medico, trunk-tish, moray, and tile-fish. 



//oo/t rt»f^ /me; Sehoolmaster, pargo prieto, red grouper, red hind, rock hind, Nassau 

 grouper, gray snapper, dog snapper, red snapper, niutton-lish, lane snapper, 

 chopaamarilla. 



Cac-t m'tx: Sardines, balaju. 



Haul mne: ]\Iutton-(ish, lane snapper, pluma, trunk-fish, ])arracuda, mullet, balaju, 

 hound-fish, soap-fish, moray, eagle ray, Spanish mackerel (small size), king-fish of 

 small size, zajiatero, runner, pompano, Nassau grouper, gray snapper, dog 

 snapper, schoolmaster, red snapper. 



Trolling: Spanish mackerel, barracuda, king-fish. 



HUCARES. 



This small town is 4 miles north of Humacao. A long sandy beach, 

 bordered by cocoa and royal palms and settled by scattering- homes of 

 tishermen, connects the two ports. The total catch by the fishermen 

 during 1902 was stated to be 80,000 pounds, consisting of the same 

 species previously mentioned as caught by men of Humacao. 



Fish are most plentiful during the winter months, and are disposed 

 of fresh at Humacao, Hucares, and neighboring plantations. The 

 catch is mainly by fishing pots. Two haul seines are at times used 

 from the beach. Cast nets and hooks are also used to a limited extent. 



GUAYANES. 



The small harbor of Guayanes is a))()ut 8 miles south of Humacao. 

 The river Guayanes, that is formed from several small mountain streams, 

 enters the harbor. Near the mouth of the river a half dozen fishermen 

 reside and use one haul seine and 20 fish i)ots in the fisheries. Their 

 catch comprises the usual species of the section and finds a market in 

 the vicinity. 



FAJARDO. 



The city of Fajardo, with 3,414 inhal)itants, is 2 miles inhind from 

 the playa or landing, at the northeastern end of the ishiiul. This 

 secti(^n has many natural advantages in connection with the fisheries, 

 which in time will Ix- more appreciated. The surrounding country is 

 an important sugar-raising district, with luimerous villages and towns, 

 of which Fajardo is the largest. At the playa is located the custom- 

 house, a few stores, and quite a little settlement of fishermen. The 

 harbor contains several small islands that afi'ord a shelter to the small 

 boats of the fishermen. The surrounding waters are well supj^lied 



