were measured and dissected. Vertebrae were obtained for age studies and 

 to gonads and stomach contents analyzed. A small specimen 1960 mm. in 

 fork length was skeletonized and brought back to the laboratory for osteo- 

 logical study. These specimens ranged from 231 to 772 pounds in weight 

 (average 523 pounds) and 1960 to 2820 in fork length (measured from 

 tip of lower jaw). All of 9 specimens sexed were females. The ovaries 

 appeared to be in a resting condition, not nearly ripe or recently spent, 

 thus indicating that spawning was not taking place in the area during the 

 period of work of the expedition. The biometric data obtained will help 

 determine whether the swordfish occurring off the coast of Chile forms 

 part of the same race or population as those in more northern waters or 

 represents an independent unit. 



Although only 4 swordfish were sighted (none taken) during the angling 

 operations off Cabo Blanco (July 24 through September 10) interviews 

 with commercial fishermen and technologists of various fishing companies 

 revealed that swordfish should have been much more abundant during 

 July through October. In fact many commercial fishermen and fishing 

 companies located in the vicinity of Cabo Blanco (Mancora) derive their 

 livelihood almost entirely from swordfishing. A study of the statistics on 

 monthly swordfish production in the area comprising the years August, 

 1948, through May, 1954, shows that the period of greater abundance 

 has occurred during August through October with a peak in September. 

 The expected run for the area in 1954 had not materialized when the 

 expedition left in the middle of September. The statistics also show another 

 period of abundance, to a lesser degree, during March. The periods of least 

 abundance appear to occur during May through July with a peak in June, 

 and during November through January, with a peak in December. Sword- 

 fish are present in northern Peruvian waters the year round but the statis- 

 tics do not show the prevailing sizes of fish during the periods of greater 

 and lesser abundance. 



Statistics on swordfish production issued by the Chilean government for 

 about the same period (1948-1952) as those covered by Peru, indicate a 

 well marked period of abundance during May and June and a well marked 

 period of least abundance during November through February with a peak 

 in December and January. As further confirmative evidence, it is interesting 

 to note that swordfish were very abundant off northern Chile during May 

 and June, 1954, and that abundance decreased towards July. During the 

 expedition angling operations in Chilean waters, 29 individuals were 

 sighted during the period comprising June 1 through June 17, whereas 

 only 18 individuals were sighted during the period comprising June 18 

 through July 6. On June 1, 9 broadbill were sighted in 1 hour and 15 

 minutes, between 1245 and 1400. A number of anglers operating out of 



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