THE FISHERIES AND FISH TRADE OF PORTO RICO. 
39 
a few rough tables near the water front, or peddled through the country by men on 
foot and on horseback. As a rule prices are high to the consumers, ranging from 
7 to 12 cents a pound for undressed tish. Imported dry fish are often cheaper than 
fresh fish and much more in demand. 
Punta Santiago . — This place is of some importance as a receiving and distribut- 
ing point for the rich and thick settled district of Humacao. The port has about 
1,000 inhabitants, a custom-house, and a few stores. The town of Humacao is 4 miles 
inland. Large quantities of dried and fresh fish are consumed in the district, the 
former being received from Ponce and San Juan. Customs records show no direct 
imports of fish during the past five years. 
Fishing Boats and Fishermen’s Homes, Punta Santiago. 
During April, May, and June trolling lines are much used, but at other seasons 
trolling is done only when going to and returning from the pots. The principal part 
of the catch is from pots, sometimes baited with fragments of crawfish or spiny 
lobsters, but as a rule pots are not baited. Crawfish are plentiful and at times the 
pots will be tilled with them; when more are taken than can be disposed of the surplus 
is returned to the sea. They are sold at an average of 3 cents a pound, the largest 
weighing 6 to 8 pounds. When the pots are baited with broken-up crawfish the 
catch is confined to fish, as no crawfish will then enter them. 
The fish are sold fresh, undressed, supplying the local demand only. The fisher- 
men receive 4 to 6 cents a pound; the} occasionally dry a small amount of fish for 
their own use. 
