44 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW Vol. 13, No. 7 



Fishermen , Boats , and Gear ; More than half of the total number of fishermen 

 live on the east coast of Malaya. Over 70 percent of the 72,697 fishermen are 

 Malayan, and 25 percent are Chinese. 



Of the 22,809 fishing vessels in the Federation of Malaya, more than 95 per- 

 cent are non-powered boats. The number of licensed powered fishing vessels rose 

 from 327 at the end of I949 to 311 at the end of 1950. The motor boats are used 

 for drift netting, long-lining, purse seining, and for servicing fishing stakes 

 and offshore seine nets. Some are used as motherships and fish carriers. Out- 

 board motors have become quite popular and serve a useful purpose in certain sec- 

 tions. 



Marketing ! Although there has been increased use of ice at sea for preserving 

 the catch, there are not yet sufficient refrigeration facilities ashore for holding 

 fish during periods of abundance. Distribution costs are high because of a Govern- 

 ment ordinance which prevents trucks from carrying a load of refrigerated fish in 

 one direction from seeking a pay load for the return trip. Another difficulty has 

 been the Indonesian Government's denial of her territorial fishing grounds to Ma- 

 layan fishermen, formally an important source of supply. 



The condition in which fish is landed at present is considered much better 

 because some of the boats carry ice. As a result, first-grade bottom-living species, 

 such as "ikan merah" (Lutianus sp. — red snapper) and "ikan kerapu" f Epinephelus sp. ) 

 are being marketed to an increasing extent as fresh fish rather than in dried and 

 salted form. 



Ehiring the year under review there has been a marked increase in the prices of 

 nearly all grades of fish. The Kaala Lumpur market prices of twelve major types of 

 local fish indicate that prices averaged 45 percent higher in November I95O than 

 during the corresponding period a year earlier. 



Mexico 



LEGISLATION PERMITTING AMERICAN VESSELS TO LAND SHRIMP PENDING ; Under a new 

 law pending in the Mexican Legislature, American vessels fishing shrimp would be 

 permitted to unload their catches at Mexican ports where the shrimp could be proc- 

 essed in newly-opened plants, a June 28 report from the American Consul at Matanoros 

 states. American fishing vessels are now permitted to enter Mexican ports with 

 "touch and trade" papers only for refueling, icing, or minor repairs. Under the 

 contemplated law. United States shrimp vessels would be pennitted to unload their 

 catches on payment of two cents per pound tax. For an additional two cents per 

 poiind, the shrimp could be processed, packaged, and frozen in texican ports, 



V/ith the increased activity in the processing field, Mexico can now offer 

 three new processing plants in Carmen and those wnich have been in operation for 

 some time at Mariscos del Carmen and Madere. Two other plants will soon be under 

 way at Carmen and other plants are being considered for ports within range of the 

 Mexican shrimp beds. 



It is reported that the new legislation has excellent chances of becoming law 

 since the Secretario de la Marina is allegedly in favor of the step. Passage of 

 the law would probably lead to the eventual establishment of Camien and Campeche 

 as important fishing centers on the Gulf Coast just as Guaymas and Mazatlin are on 

 the 'iVest Coast. 



