14 



REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



AGUADILLA. 



This port, with a population of some 5,000 to 6,000, is located at the 

 northwestern end of the island. The harbor is poor, being simply an 

 indentation in the shore line. A good depth of water is found to within 

 a short distance of the beach, on which quite a surf breaks. The place 

 is of considerable importance as a distributing point for this section. 

 The mercantile business is represented by numerous stores, a few of 

 which carry quite large stocks, of which dry and pickled fish form an 

 imj)ortant portion. 



The annual distribution of fish from this port is stated to be 2,500 

 tierces of dry cod, 500 barrels of pickled herring, and a small amount 

 of smoked and canned fish. The fish go principally to the interior of 

 the island. Very little is imported direct, the supplies in general being 

 bought as needed from importers at Ponce, San Juan, and Mayaguez. 

 Occasionally small orders are sent to the United States. 



The direct imports of fish in 1897 amounted to 19,965 kilograms, or 

 44,015 i^ounds; $2,595 worth of dry fish came from New York and 

 $2,845 worth of canned fish from Spain. Nearly all dry fish handled 

 are quite small, these being preferred to those of medium size. 



The following seven firms handle the bulk of the fish received: J. T. 

 Silva & Co., Tumet & Co., Angel Ma Yumet, Ernesto Eubio, E. Ponce 

 & Co., Jose Diaz, and Schnabel & Co. 



Boneless fish are unknown, and canned fish of American pack are 

 seldom used. Dealers express a desire to increase their business with 

 the United States, in the hope of receiving a better class of goods, 

 adapted to their trying climate, the losses from fish turning red and 

 spoiling being considerable. 



ARROYO. 



This port of entry is near the southeastern end of the island. The 

 population is stated at 1,200. Dry and pickled fish are largely used 

 and distributed through the interior, it being claimed that the monthly 

 receipts average 120 tierces of dry fish. Most of the fish products 

 come from the importers at Ponce, the direct imports being small. 



The custom-house records show the direct imports during the past 

 six years as follows : 



The imports in 1894 were all from the United States, those for the 

 other years were from Nova Scotia. The only direct import in 1898 

 comprised 200 tierces and 3 boxes of codfish and 100 barrels of herring, 

 from Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. 



