THE FISHERIES AND FISH TRADE OF PORTO RICO. 
31 
the usual custom not to bait the pot in any way, the fishermen trusting to curiosity 
to lead some fish in and serve as decoys to others. At Culebra Island, however, 
the negroes from the British and Danish West Indies, particularly from Tortola, 
baited their pots with large chunks of cactus, from which they had trimmed ofi the 
green outside, exposing the white pulp. These white objects in the trap serve as 
decoys. At Palo Seco burned bones, hoofs of cattle, and sour or decayed oranges 
were used. The pots are set at depths varying perhaps from 3 or 4 fathoms up to 
30 or 40 fathoms, with stones or other weights to anchor them, their location being 
marked by one or more buoys which are fastened to them by means of a rope or long 
cable of plaited bark or pliable strips of wood. The pots are usually lifted daily. 
Bamboo Fish. Pot or Trap in general use in Porto Rico. 
Haul seines are not extensively used, the character of the shore making their 
operation difficult and unsatisfactory. About 10 are in use at Aguadilla and from 1 
to 2 or 3 at a few other places. They are usually from 150 to 300 feet long and 
from 15 to 20 feet deep, and with 3 and 11 inches mesh in the wings and f inch in 
the bunt. These seines cost about $50, of which half is allowed for twine and half 
for leads, corks, and labor, the nets'being made by the fishermen themselves. 
Gill nets are even less commonly used, and were seen only at Palo Seco, where 
they are drifted with the tide, either in the bay or the mouth of the Bayamon River. 
They were about 600 feet long, 12 feet deep, and with 2-inch mesh, bar measure. 
Cast nets are in common use in many places about the island. They are funnel- 
shaped, the large end being 6 to 10 feet wide, tapering off through its 6 to 8 feet of 
depth to a point to which a line is attached; the netting is 1-inch-stretch mesh, with 
the bottom leaded. If properly thrown, they spread wide open before striking the 
water, and in this position sink to the bottom, after which they are immediately 
drawn in and the catch removed. The value of a cast net is $3 to $5. They are used 
along the shore in the surf for sardines and in the river mouths for mullets. 
