THE FISHERIES AND FISH TRADE OF PORTO RICO. 
45 
Arecibo . — The population of Arecibo is 8,008. In the imports of dry and pickled 
fish this city ranks fourth in the amount of value, which in 1897 were as follows: 
From— 
Kilograms. 
Pounds. 
Value. 
British North American Possessions .. 
1,173,279 
7,673 
2,586, 636 
16,916 
$152, 426. 27 
997. 49 
1,180,952 
2, 603, 552 
153, 423. 76 
Canned fish imports were all from Spain, amounting to $2,333. 
Of the dry fish handled, some 25 per cent additional to the above was received 
from the San Juan and Ponce importers. The original importers of the several ports 
draw on or supply each other according to the condition of the trade. The imports 
for 1897 are said to have been on an average with those of past years. The principal 
fishery imports consisted of small-sized dry cod from Nova Scotia. 
Aguadilla . — This place has a population of 6,425 and is of considerable impor- 
tance as a distributing point for the surrounding country. The fish handled annually 
is stated to amount to about 2,500 tierces of dry cod, 500 barrels of pickled herring, 
and a small quantity of smoked and canned fish. Very little is imported direct, the 
supplies in general being bought as needed from importers at Ponce, San Juan, and 
Mayaguez. Occasionally small orders are sent to the United States. The direct 
imports of fish in 1897 amounted to 19,965 kilograms, or 44,015 pounds; $2,595 worth 
of dry fish came from New York and $2,845 worth of canned fish from Spain. Nearly 
all dry fish handled are quite small, these being preferred to those of medium size. 
Boneless fish are unknown, and canned fish of American pack are seldom used. 
Dealers express a desire to increase their business with the United States, in the 
hope of receiving a better class of goods, adapted to their trying climate, the losses 
from fish turning red and spoiling being considerable. 
Arroyo . — This is the port of entry for the southeastern part of the island and has 
a population of 2,137. Dry and pickled fish are largely used and distributed through 
the interior, the monthly receipts averaging 120 tierces of dry fish. Most of the fish 
products come from importers at Ponce, the direct imports being small, as shown by 
the custom-house records during the past six years, as follows: 
Year. 
Kilograms. 
Pounds. 
Value. 
1893 
None. 
1,482 
32, 331 
6,350 
None. 
60,116 
None. 
3,267 
71,278 
13, 999 
None. 
132, 533 
1894 
1 1895 
$148 
5, 203 
825 
1896 
1897 
1898 
7,815 
The imports in 1894 were all from the United States, those for the other years 
were from Nova Scotia. The only direct import in 1898 comprised 209 tierces and 
3 boxes of cod-fish and 100 barrels of herring, from Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. 
