NOTES ON THE FOREIGN FISHERY TRADE AND LOCAL FISH- 

 ERIES OF PORTO RICO. 



By W. a. Wilcox, 

 Agent af the United States Fish Commission. 



INTRODUCTION. 



The writer was detailed to accompany an expedition on the United 

 States Fish Commission steamer Fish Haich to Porto Eico for the 

 purpose of investigating the condition of the commercial fisheries. 

 Inquiries were made respecting the quantity and value of fishery pro- 

 ducts imported, their source and character, together with the methods 

 of handling them and the expenses connected therewith. The local 

 fisheries of Porto Eico and its outlying islands were also investigated. 



The steamer arrived at San Juan on January 2, 1899. The work was 

 at once commenced at that port, after which the several places of 

 importance in connection with the investigations around the island 

 were visited. Of the large number of small streams, only a few could 

 be visited, from lack of time. None of them have extensive fisheries, 

 but many supply a local demand for fresh fish. 



There are very few good harbors in Porto Eico, and in all except San 

 Juan vessels landing or loading cargoes are obliged to use lighters, 

 thus adding considerably to the expenses. 



The statistics relating to the imports here presented were copied 

 from the original records at the custom-houses. Those concerning the 

 local fisheries were obtained through personal interviews with fisher- 

 men and other persons interested in the subject. The records of the 

 custom-houses were found complete for a series of years and gave the 

 statistics of imported fishery products. Unfortunately the records of 

 local fisheries had at nearly every port been destroyed or taken away. 



The metric system of weights and measures is used in Porto Eico. 

 At the custom-houses weights are shown in kilograms. In this report 

 they are also given in pounds. 



The work of the expedition was advanced by assistance furnished by 

 Brig. Gen. F. D. Grant, commanding the district of San Juan, Capt. 

 James A. Buchanan, collector for Porto Eico, and other Government 

 and Porto Eican officials, and De Ford & Co., bankers and fiscal agents 

 of the United States at San Juan. Information was freely given by 

 the leading importers, fishermen, and iiersons interested in the fisheries, 

 to whom acknowledgments are hereby made. 



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