they are usually small and sell at inferior prices on the Guatemla 
City market. The com 
mercial ees at Livingston occasionally fish the waters at EL Golfete and Lago Izabel 
during seasons the year when fishing is unprofitable in the Bahia de Amatique. However 
the fishermen usually prefer to use these periods to repair boats and fishing gear. : 
Three of the five species of bagr ( 
; e (catfish) found in the lake occur in such 
numbers that they could be profitably placed on the market as dried fish. 
It is possible that commercial fishing could be improved in th 
e Lago Izabal —- 
El Golfete area by introducing the crappie (Pomoxis nigro-maculatus). SiAbe there is an 
abundance of excellent habitat for this species 3 its introduction might be of great value 
in providing a dependable year-round source of food fish. The abundance of small fishes in 
Lago Izabal does not indicate that the introduction of additional 
cause a lack of adequate forage species, fe) predatory species would 
The ‘lake has an abundance of Crustacea, including cangrejos or crabs (Potamo— 
carcimis guatemalensis), camerones or shrimp (Palaemon hipoda "puleas® 
crustacean belonging to the family Peleonone ae eetmemon) » Amphip or "pulgas", and a small 
_ By using baited wire hoop nets or traps for taking bagre (catfish), and b 
capitalizing on the robalo runs, commercial fishing could be oeriaeis en eats orton 
with inexpensive equipment. To encourage this type of fishing, it would be desirable for 
someone with sufficient capital to furnish the wire meeting, train the natives to use the 
equipment and dry the fish properly. Periodically the dried fish could be collected and 
transported to inland cities. With the type of labor available at such points as Sm Felipe 
and El Estor, it is believed that this system could be developed into a small but profitable 
enterprise. ; é 
‘It is believed that the development of good sport fishing in the R¥o Dulce - El 
Golfete - Lago Izabal waters would contribute more to the economy of the area than good 
comercial fishing. There appears to be no reason, however )» Why the two could not be 
developed simultaneously. These waters probably present what is some of the best sabalo 
(Tarpon) fishing to be found anywhere. In the first half of Jamary, the robalo runs also 
provide superb sport fishing, according to reports. In addition to these species, mojarras 
are common if not mumerous. The big difficulty with present sport fishing is the lack of 
excellent sport fishes that can be taken readily throughout the year. Although the tarpon 
is common, it is umsual to take more than two or three on a day's trip. The mojarras are 
not readily taken by hook-and-line fishing, nor do they create mich interest as a sport 
fish. The establishment of a population of black bass (Micropterus salmoides) in these 
waters should do mech to stimilate interest in the utilization of both sport and food 
fishes. The waters appear exceptionally well suited to the largemouth bass. The presence 
of crappie for commercial fishing should improve hook-and-line fishing materially. 
With the development of sport fishing, the area should become popular enough with 
tourists to make the operation of hotels profitable either in the vicinity of San Felipe or 
Livingston. With adequate hotel accommodations and boats, this water area should become a 
real economic asset to the Republic through accommodations for tourists and fishermen, boat 
rental, guide service, and the sale of related accessories. Excellent salt-water fishing 
is available near Livingston and Puerto Barrios. The journey from Puerto Barrios to Panzés 
by way of Livingston, Rio Dulce, El Golfete, Lago Izabal, and RIO Polochic has already 
become popular as a scenic trip for tourists. The equable climate, with good fishing, and 
appropriate hotel accommodations may well make the area one of the more popular resorts of 
the Western Hemisphere. However, definite action on the introduction of largemouth bass and 
crappie should await determination of the success of trial plants of these species elsewhere 
in Guatemala. 
Pacific Coastal oons 
The Pacific Coast of Guatemala is approximately 320 kilometers in length. Along 
the coast and inland to distances of 10 kilometers, more or less, are innumerable brackish 
and freshwater lagoons ranging in size from a few to several hundred hectares in size. Many 
of these water areas are linear in form and lie parallel to the coast. There are also a 
115 
