44 
BULLETIN OE THE UNITED STATES EISH COMMISSION. 
Mayaguez .^- This city, with a population of 15,187, ranks third in its fishery 
imports, and has for a long- time been a receiving and distributing point for a large 
amount of imported fishery products. Imported fish are distributed by sales through 
the interior, with occasional transfers of cargoes to other ports in which supplies are 
needed. The receipts of dry and pickled fish in 1897 were as follows: 
From — 
Kilograms. 
Pounds. 
Value. 
2,235,907 
122, 903 
2,206 
1,929,328 
270, 955 
4,863 
*290, 587. 91 
15, 458. 39 
286. 78 
2, 361,016 
5, 205, 146 
306, 333. 08 
The imports of canned fish (chiefly sardines) were comparatively unimportant, 
being valued at only $19,732, of which $19,517 worth came from Spain. Boneless 
fish are unknown, but dealers express a desire for experimental lots, well cured, and 
hope to create a demand for boneless and canned fish, but do not encourage large 
shipments at first. 
The best months for meeting with a good demand are January, February, March, 
and April. Shipments by the New York and Porto Rico Steamship Line can be made 
three times a month. These steamers do a freight and passenger business, making 
regular calls at Mayaguez, San Juan, and Ponce, and if there is sufficient inducement 
landings are made at Arecibo, Aguadilla, and Arroyo. 
When cargo shipments by sail are made, return cargoes of sugar and molasses 
can generally be secured from the month of February to and including August. At 
the time this port was visited, during the latter part of January, 1899, no cargo lots 
of fish had been received for some time, and the freight rates by steamer only could 
be given. These were: For sugar in hogsheads 22 cents per 100 pounds, and 18 
cents per 100 pounds when in bags. These rates are somewhat higher than in the 
previous year. 
Wholesale values of dry cod (per 100 pounds) for the past three years are here 
shown by months, as ascertained from the books of dealers at Mayaguez: 
Month. 
1896. 
1897. 
- 1898. 
January 
*5.50 
*5.50 
*6. 00 
6.00 
7.00 
5.00 
5.50 
7.00 
4.50 
6. 00 
7. 50 
5. 50 
7. 00 
9. 25 
6.25 
8. 00 
10.50 
July 
5. 50 
7.00 
8.25 
4.50 
5.00 
8.75 
5. 50 
9.00 
6. 25 
10. 50 
November 
7.00 
6. 00 
10. 00 
Becember — - 
6.00 
6.50 
8.25 
Average - 
6. 12i 
6.20 
8.50 
During January, 1899, the market was as follows: 
Cod-fish, $8 per 100 pounds; hake, $5 to $6 per 100 pounds. 
Haddock, $7 per 100 pounds; pollock, $5 to $6 per 100 pounds. 
Pickled herring, §4 to $6 per barrel for round and split; the latter $1 a barrel more than round. 
Sardines in oil or mustard, in 1-pound boxes, 70 to 90 cents a dozen. 
