which we shall consider to end with the 100 fathom curve, averages about 

 20 to 25 miles oflshore. The predominant points along this coast line lie 

 very nearly in a north and south line and the 100 fathom curve follows 

 about the same pattern until Cape San Lorenzo is reached, then the coast 

 line and the coastal shelf swing toward the northeast. The coastal shelf in 

 the vicinity of La Plata Island extends about 25 miles offshore and is of 

 very uniform depth, averaging from 25 to 35 fathoms. Practically all of 

 the commercial fishing in this section of Ecuador is done in this relatively 

 shallow water. During our stay at Salango we found the current to run 

 generally in a southerly direction. From all reports this seems to hold true 

 in every season of the year. This flow of water apparently comes from the 

 southern equatorial current and possibly there is some influence from the 

 Gulf of Panama on the north. Fiom the mouth of the Gulf of Guayaquil 

 to the equator the Humboldt Current is far offshore and rapidly diffuses to 

 the westward. This southerly inshore current that we experienced, coupled 

 with the flow of water out of the Gulf of Guayaquil may be the origin of 

 the so-called Nino current that occasionally reaches as far south as central 

 Peru. 



Fishing Methods. Generally, fishing procedures here, especially for 

 billfish, were the most primitive that we encountered in our preliminary 

 examination of the west coast of South America: Chile, Peru and Ecuador. 

 The fishermen in the area are predominantly bottom or reef fishermen. 

 Before the expansion of marlin fishing in the last ten years, only a few of 

 the hardier men indulged in shark fishing. Today, in the vicinity of Mania, 

 there are less than 10% of the local fishermen who have had experience 

 and practice in marlin fishing in Manta and the surrounding area, princi- 

 pally La Plata Island. 



Due to the lack of swordfish hi these waters, there is very little employ- 

 ment of the harpoon and very few vessels are equipped for this type of 

 fishing. While all the species of billfish are inclined to surface, the local 

 fisherman has never equipped himself with power in his boat so that he 

 could make any adequate use of the harpoon. All the commercial fishing 

 boats we encountered that were used in marlin and shark fishing were 

 powered by sail and oar. The only fishing vessels encountered that were 

 equipped with motors were those used either as a pickup boat for the catch 

 of the sailing craft or were employed in bottom fishing, where power was 

 necessary to haul the long set lines. 



In the entire world of commercial billfishing, Ecuador is probably the 

 most unique. This is the only place in our experience where the fish are 

 predominantly caught by the use of live bait. All the marlins and sailfish 

 are caught by slowly trolling a live bonito or a mackerel from a boat under 

 sail (Figure 8). The native craft employed in this type of fishing is primitive. 



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