
If such a survey could be financed cooperatively by all interested countries, so that ine 
formation on the location of the better fishing banks and the seasonal fluctuations of fish 
were known, it would be of inestimable value in exploiting the fishery resource of the 
area. The information needed from such a survey should include the following. 
1. Precise information should be obtained on the time, place, and extent of the 
seasonal concentrations and migrations of bottom and pelagic fish and other aquatic forms 
such as shrimp, lobsters, and turtles. 
2. Experiments should be made to determine the most satisfactory gear and 
equipment to be used, such as emall otter trawls with various modifications for local 
conditions. The use of small purse seines capable of being used on unspecialised vessels 
should be perfected. 
Until a fair knowledge has been obtained of the species, their distribution, and 
habite, experiments toward perfecting equipment would be no more than preliminary. To 
determine the distribution of species and their seasonal migratione would require one or 
two years, and subsequent testing of various typee of gear would require at least another 
year. To be of most value the survey should extend over ai least three years. The survey 
party should be provided with a vessel large enough to handle the various types of gear, 
fully powered, and provided with mechanical cold storage. In addition to the technicians 
trained for such studies, the services of a competent commercial fisherman should be 
obtained to direct the actual fishing operations, 
Development of Fishing as ea Tourist Attraction 
Guatemala offers many attractions for touriste. For the sport fisherman the 
areas around Livingston, lago Izabal, and Puerto Barrios offer extraordinary fishing and 
scenic attractions. El Golfete, Iago Izabal, Rfo Dulce, and the waters of the coast offer 
excellent tarpon and salt-water fishing. These areas afford opportunities for a holiday 
of fishing and sailing unsurpassed in the Caribbean. 
The potentiality of the tourist trade may be greater by far than that of commercial 
fishing. Before tourist potentiale can be realised, hotel accommodations, fishing boats, 
guides and equipment would have to be provided. The opportunity for the development of sport 
fishing at lakes Atitlan, Ayarza, and Amatitldn, and on the lagoons of the Pacific Coast 
should not be overlooked. last, and far from least, the sport facilities which the Republic 
offers would have to be made known to the traveling public through adequate publicity. 
Administration of the Fishery Resources 
The authority for making regulations regarding wildlife and fisheries should be 
granted by law to a single agency of the central Government. This would facilitate the 
adoption and enforcement of equitable regulations throughout the Republic. It is believed 
-that an administrative organization comparable to certain of the State conservation 
departments in the United States would be practicable, but many changes would be necessary 
to adapt them to the needs in Guatemala. On September 10 and 11, 1934, the International 
Association of Game, Fish and Conservation Commissioners, meeting at Montreal, Canada, 
compiled a Fish and Game Administrative Code for guidance in establishing more adequate 
game and fish administrative organizations. This code is obtainable in bulletin form from 
the Izaak Walton League of America. It is suggested that d copy be obtained, and the code 
nodified as needed to make it a suitable instrument for use in the Republic. If the 
principles of this code are used as a foundation upon which to build the administrative 
organization, the Republic will profit materially from the experience of other countries, 
There is a good opportunity to improve and develop the fresh-water fishery 
resources of Guatemala so that they will be an important food resource. The opportunities 
to attract tourists by providing satisfactory sport fishing are excellent. The progress 
made in the years ahead will depend largely on how well the resources are managed. It is 
not conceivable that it can be well managed without the assistance of trained technicians. 
The training of two or more Guatemalan students in modern techniques in the fields outlined 
below is important. . 
1. Fish propagation: Training for the operation of a fish hatchery, and in the 
distribution and planting of fish. 
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