34* REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF PISH AND FISHERIES. 



CONCLUSION. 



The cliange in the government of Porto Eico has been so recent that 

 it will be some time before the old methods will become modified to suit 

 new conditions, and so little is known of the local commercial fisheries 

 of the island that predictions as to their future can not be safely made. 



In supplying the island with the large amount of cured fish required 

 annually, there will be changes by shippers and receivers in methods 

 of handling, one of importance being a change from the long-time credit 

 system. A knowledge of the coffee and sugar industries of the island 

 is important to shippers, as return cargoes often have to be secured. 

 The future imports of fishery products may reasonably be expected to 

 come from sources that can lay them down at the lowest prices, and to 

 some extent handle in return the products of the island. 



As the Porto Eicans are conservative and slow to experiment with 

 unfamiliar articles, some time will be required to introduce boneless or 

 other fish preparations unknown to them. They are quick to appreciate 

 low prices, and when they come to understand the good qualities of 

 boneless fish, canned fish, and similar foods prepared in the United 

 States, a large demand for good articles, at reasonably low prices, may 

 be expected. 



The local fisheries may possibly prove to be of considerable value, 

 but time and capital will be needed to develop them. Different methods 

 of capture and more energy in the prosecution of the fisheries are 

 necessary to determine if a large supply can be depended upon. The 

 species best adapted for curing or canning are yet to be ascertained. 



The entire absence of machine-made nets is to be noted. With the 

 introduction of capital and the development of the fisheries, there would 

 at once come a large demand for these goods. The few nets now used 

 are hand-made by the poor fishermen, who are seldom able to buy more 

 than a few balls of twine at a time, and no one has as yet seemed willing 

 to advance capital or supplies to further increase the business. 



A large variety of fine edible fish are found in the salt and fresh 

 waters of Porto Eico, yet little attention is given to their capture and 

 none to their cure. Only those living near the seacoast or some of the 

 rivers ever have any fresh fish, and then only at high prices. 



Cheap ice and quick transportation are two important factors in the 

 fresh-fish business, and at present these are both lacking. Ice is to be 

 procured at very few places, and the price, $12 to $15 a ton, is too high 

 for its use in the fisheries. The few short lines of railroad have no 

 express business, and no fresh fish are transported by rail. With few 

 exceptions the common roads are so poor that merchandise has to be 

 carried by pack animals. With improved transporting facilities and 

 cheaper ice, the thickly settled interior could receive a more abundant 

 supply of fresh-fish at more reasonable prices, to the benefit of both 

 consumers and dealers. 



