6 weighed less, and only 2 weighed 50 pounds or more. It is interesting to 

 note that with one exception, all of the specimens were taken in depths 

 ranging from 20 to 60 fathoms and most were taken between 30 and 50 

 fathoms. There is no apparent correlation between size and depth of cap- 

 ture. 



The results of the preliminary experimental longline sets indicate that 

 longlining for yellowfin and big-eye tuna, both important commercial spec- 

 ies, may be profitable in Peruvian waters. Although only two swordfish 

 were taken, it must be remembered that as already indicated, the expected 

 run for that time of year had not materialized during the period of 

 operations. 



Economy. Peru has a commercial fishing organization far in advance 

 of the Chilean industry. The domestic companies are well organized, and 

 joined with a cooperative organization in Lima are doing an excellent job. 

 Foreign capital and enterprise in the commercial fishing field has been more 

 successful, due to the modern training and improved types of equipment 

 provided. 



The country itself has a stable currency and strong government control 

 and organization. Because of the availability of fishing labor, the average 

 income per day is only slightly higher than that encountered in northern 

 Chile, roughly 15% to 20% more. The yearly average income is about a 

 third higher than Chile, due to more constant employment. This can be 

 directly attributed to a better organization of the fishing interests, both 

 foreign and domestic. 



Peru has partial price control on ocean fish production but it is not as 

 rigidly controlled as in Chile. 



The fishermen are about equally skillful and energetic as those of Chile. 

 They are kept much closer to the coastal line in their operations, due to 

 adverse weather encountered, and to the fact that the fish are encountered 

 closer to the coast because of the oceanographic features of that part of 

 South America. 



Ei'imtlitr 



General. In the short time of one month that this expedition spent in 

 Ecuador, operating in the vicinity of La Plata Island and Salango (Figure 

 10), very little opportunity was offered to study the commercial fishery. The 

 greater part of the information available concerned the history of the 

 fishery. Ecuador and its adjacent waters have been very potent in the past 

 as regards the tuna industry of the United States. The area is the most 

 southerly limit of operational tuna fleets from Southern California. It was 

 not until 1949 that any American enterprise became established in 

 Ecuador. 



Since the primary purpose of this expedition was the study of billfish 



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