
Aguacatan.-Aguacatan is about 25 kilometers east of Huehtetenango. The spring 
has an estimated flow of 2.83 cubic meters (100 cubic feet) per second, a temperature of 
15 degrees Centigrade, a pH of 7.2, and 179 parts per million of methyl orange alkalinity. 
There is an excellent expanse of flat land, which would permit almost unlimited pond devel- 
opment. The location of thie site with respect to the better waters to be stocked is very 
poor, It is highly desirable that a hatchery be within six to eight hours travel time by 
loaded truck, of the waters to be planted. This ideal can not be realised with any one site 
in Guatemala. Aguacatan, however, is 10 to 30 hours by truck from the better waters. to be 
stocked. Other problems involved here are the porosity of the soil and the possibility of 
extremely high flood watere covering site. A great advantage is the cool water temperature, 
which can be used to regulate spawning time. 
Amatitlan.—-Below Amatitlan, between the road to Eacuintla and the Rio Michatoya, 
‘48 a relatively flat area where a fish hatchery could be constructed. The area begins about 
one-half kilometer or more below laguna de Amatitidn, and extends for about two and one-half 
miles along the Rfo Michatoya. The precise location should be determined by a hatchery 
engineer, for the water source and the hatchery plan would be determined by the slope of 
the land and by bottom levels in Rfo Michatoya. There is adequate water in Rio Michatoya, 
as it. has a minimum flow of 1.68 cubic meters per second (60 cubic feet per second) or 
more during the dry season. It may also be feasible to flume the water from Laguna de 
Amatitldén. This would be preferable, but not necessary. ‘The water used at the hatchery 
would have little effect on available water for irrigation and power purposes below 
because all water used would be returned to the river. 
The temperature of Rio Michatoya below the lake was 20.5 degrees Centigrade on 
March 20, 1946. The temperature probably varies little throughout the year, for it flows 
directly from laguna de Amatitleéh., Rio Michatoya, about one-half mile below the lake, had 
a total alkalinity of 178 parts per million, and a pH of 8.0 on the above date. 
This area appears more satisfactory for the location of a hatchery than any other 
examined, The land has a gentle slope, the water supply is satisfactory, and the soil 
appears less porous than at any of the other sites. A paved road leading to Guatemala City, 
31 kilometers away, is nearby. Considering the road system leading to ail parts of the 
Republic, the fishing waters nearby, and the airport at Guatemala City, a more centralized 
location would be difficult to find. 
No sites cbheerved, other than those mentioned above, have the prerequisites for 
a hatchery. 
Salt-Water Commercial Fisheries 
The primary purpose of the mission was to explore the factors involved in 
improving fresh-water fishing. Ae there was considerable interest in brackish and 
salt-water fishing, a brief general summary of conditions and observations are recorded 
here. 
Pacific Ocean 
No exploration or sampling was done in the Pacific Ocean, for the reason that 
the water is deep close inshore (Chart Number 9031, West Coast of Central America, Ocos 
River to Sean Juan del Sur, published by the Hydrographic Office, United States Navy, 
Washington, D. C.). RBather large areas of water eix fathoms or less in depth are usually 
essential for profitable fishing for inshore fishes. Such areas along the Pacific Coast 
of Guatemala are extremely limited and are not protected from the open sea by cays or 
reefs, The most extansive area less than seven fathoms lies off San lui@, at the mouth of 
Rio Samalé, and between San Iufs and Champerico. The types of fishes found in such 
habitate are somewhat migratory, and the yield can be expected to fluctuate greatly from 
season to season depending upon changes in the routes and times of migration. 
The offshore bottom areas less than 100 fathoms deep extend out a distance of 
LO to 80 kilometers, but euch watere are usually considered relatively unproductive in 
tropical seas. The ocean bottoms here do not have ridges, ledges, and rocks, which are 
associated with larger fish populations.. 
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