THE GROUPER FISHERY OF CAY GLORY, BRITISH HONDURAS

Abstract

ABSTRACT Fisheries are poorly developed throughout the western Caribbean. An exception is British Honduras where there is a substantial folk-fishery and the daily consumption of fresh fish is customary by the urban population. There are three ethnic groups of fishermen, with Mestizos from the northern cays providing leadership in the annual exploitation of an unusual concentration of grouper in the Cay Glory area. Timing of the occurrence allows surplus salt-cured fish to be sold to inland communities and exported at premium prices to satisfy Lenten demand. Numerous adaptations to tropical climatic conditions have evolved in preservation techniques but the industry as a whole may soon decline owing to overfishing if uncontrolled exploitation continues.