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SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
In recent years, one goal of the Fisheries Service, Government of El Salvador, has been to increase the availability of fish, an inexpensive source of high quality protein, through the promotion and extension of fishcultural practices to Salvadoran farmers. The production of pond-raised fish had been limited in part by marketing problems encountered by producers.
A study was conducted to determine factors which influence marketing of fish and implications of these factors in the development of fishculture. Emphasis was placed on marketing in rural areas, where incomes were lowest, diets inadequate, and 60 percent of the population reside.
Municipalities with public markets were partitioned into three categories on the basis of size. A stratified random sample was chosen from each category. Quantitative and qualitative information was collected through interviews with fish vendors in public markets. Locations were visited four times during the year to detect seasonal marketing patterns.
Most fish consumed in El Salvador came from marine sources, both industrial and artisanal. Freshwater artisanal fisheries also contributed substantially to the total supply. The production from fishponds was insignificant at the national level in 1973.
Most fish were marketed through established channels of distribution. Major cities served as centers of fish distribution for surrounding areas.
In large cities, substantial quantities of all types of fish were sold. Less expensive fish comprised a greater part of sales in the small cities. Limited amounts of less expensive fish were sold in rural markets. Both supply and income appeared to influence the consumption of fish.
The demand for fish in the cities absorbed a large part of supply, thus limiting
amounts available for rural areas. Higher incomes allowed large city consumers
to purchase relatively great quantities of all types of fish. In contrast,
low incomes of rural dwellers restricted consumption to limited quantities
of cheaper types of fish.
Within rural areas, both fresh and total fish consumption was greater in the central zone than in other zones. This was attributed to the proximity of towns in the central zone to major centers of fish distribution located in the large cities.
A general trend ot increased prices and sales was detected during the weeks
preceding Easter. Demand for fish increased greatly during this period as
a result of religious customs.
An increase in fish sales in rural towns of the coastal and northern zones was not detected during the period preceding Easter, however. Increased demand for fish in cities and nearby areas absorbed more of the actual supply, thus limiting availability of fish in more distant rural towns.
Consumers paid premium prices for all freshwater species of Cichlidae: guapotes,
mojarras, and tilapias. These fish generally sold higher than even the more
preferred marine species. The freshwater catfishes, characins, and top-water
minnows sold for prices similar to those for less preferred marine species.
Market demand for fish in urban areas was projected at 7,651 metric tons
for 1985, representing additional needs for 4,118 metric tons over 1973 urban
supply. Market demand in rural areas was projected at 1,956 metric tons for
1985, representing additional needs for 1,077 metric tons. In view of growing
demand for fish in cities, however, supply to rural areas may decrease in
coming years.
A substantial increase in demand for fish in El Salvador is projected for the near future. Domestic production has not increased significantly in recent years. Trends indicate that efforts to increase the production of fish in all sectors should be undertaken. Large quantities of inexpensive fish are needed to benefit low income consumers.
Fisheulture can make an important contribution to future fish supplies in El Salvador for several reasons. Pond-raised fish are preferred over many other types. Fish can be grown near areas of consumption, thus reducing transportation costs and improving quality. Pond-raised fish can be economically produced at competitive prices.
Fisheulture becomes especially important when the supply situation in rural areas is considered. Increased production of pond-raised fish would reduce dependency of rural areas on cities for fish supplies. Though problems confronting many rural inhabitants are numerous and complex, development of fisheulture represents one important way in which conditions in rural areas may be improved.