spasmodic and that the degree of abundance of the species in the commer- 

 cial catch in the area, appeared to be correlated with the abundance of 

 black marlin. Small sharks and manta rays (unidentified) were found to 

 occur in 4 stomachs. Black skipjack {Euthynnus lincatus), yellowfm tuna 

 (Thunnus albacares) and sierra mackerel (Scomberomorus sierra) were 

 found in 4 stomachs. Bonito {Sarda chilensis) and cojinova {Neptomenus 

 crassKs) were found in 2 stomachs. Squid were found in only one stomach. 

 Two stomachs were found to be empty and 3 were "thrown" by the fish 

 during the fight. Seven stomachs were not examined. 



The only other specimen of black marlin studied during the expedition 

 was a female 552 pounds in weight and 2860 mm. in length, captured off 

 La Plata Island, Ecuador, on October 3. The ovarian condition of this 

 specimen was similar to those observed in the Cabo Blanco area and dis- 

 cussed above. 



FiGURh 9. House utilized as headquarters by the expedition at Salango, during 

 the period of work off the coast of Ecuador. 



Only one sailfish was studied during the expedition. This specimen, a 

 female 2370 in length (weight not taken), was captured off La Plata Island, 

 Ecuador, on September 2 1 . The ovaries were found to be in a resting 

 condition not near the ripe or recently spent stage. 



As already indicated, no sailfish were seen in Chile or Peru during the 

 expedition. Interviews with commercial fishermen in Chile indicate that 

 this species does not occur in that area. A number of specimens, however, 

 have been taken in the Cabo Blanco area by anglers and commercial fish- 

 ermen during the summer and indications are that the species is much more 

 abundant there during that time of the year. 



Of the 1 1 specimens of broadbill swordfish landed in northern Chile, 10 



'23 



