A GEOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE JUAN FERNANDEZ ISLANDS 



85 



^^S- 99- The central part of Masatierra, seen from the air and showing the cultivations and 



plantations around Cumberland Bay: from left to right V. Colonial, V. Anson and Quebr. del 



Minero. — Photo B. Frodin ^/^ 1952. 



In 1940 the population amounted to 434 persons (225 men and boys), in 



1943 77^ (198 men; the number of women was 123, of children no less than 450); 



1944 shows a drop to 653, a result, one would think, of the heavy drop in the 

 number of lobsters caught. In 1948 the population was about 600. The total 

 export of lobster, living and tinned, is shown in Table I (after Guzman). 



As we see, the proportion of preserved lobsters underwent a rapid decrease 

 during these years; the export of live animals was undoubtedly more profitable. 

 The reasons for the sudden rise in total output in 1946 are not known to me, 

 nor if it indicated a reliable increase or just a transient improvement; after 1946 

 no figures have been available to me. 



The growth of the population between 1940 and 1943 cannot have had 

 anything to do with the fishing industry, and the drop from 1943 to 1944 does 

 not run parallel with the quantity of lobsters; besides, the effect would not show 

 before 1945, when no census was taken. 



More people meant more houses, more gardens, more timber and fuel used, 

 etc. The effect is shown by comparing figs, 24, 27 and 92 with 22, 30 and 99. 

 In 191 7 the lower slopes of Q. del Minero were barren, in 1952 there were plant- 

 ations; Anson's valley, where few people lived in 191 7, bears sign of much 

 activity, and the aspect of the settlement in the Colonial valley has changed a 

 great deal from 19 17 to 1952. Everybody welcomes that the devastated slopes 

 near the sea, where erosion is a serious problem, have been planted, nobody 

 objects to the growth of the population as long as fishing provides a decent 



