ABSTRACT 



This report is primarily an examination of thG poten- 

 tialities of the shrimp fisheries of Latin America as a source 

 of supply for the United States market. 



A survey conducted by the author indicates that there 

 are vast stretches of coast along continental Latin America 

 where the shrimp populations are very sparse or are concentrated 

 in patches in widely scattered areas. J For some countries the 

 production outlook is favorable and the prospect for the develop- 

 ment of the fishery is discussed in relation to the availability 

 of commercial species on the fishing grounds, processing and 

 marketing costs, and the effect of government regulations and 

 controls. In the case of Mexico, the chief source of shrimp 

 imports into the United States, the fishery appears to have reached 

 the stage where productive ability no longer depends upon fishing 

 or plant capacity but more upon the biological potential of the 

 species of shrimp and the capacity of the market to absorb smaller- 

 sized shrimp. 



There are at least 21 species of marine and brackish- 

 water shrimp that are of coromercial importance in continental 

 Latin America. However, 10 species of shrirap belonging to the 

 genus Penaeus comprise the bulk of the shrimp fishery, accounting 

 for about 90 percent of the total catch. 



Milton J. Lindner is novj a fishery attache at the American 

 Embassy in Mexico City. Draft of this report was completed in August 1956. 

 Alton T. Murray, Commodity Industry Economist, condensed and revised the 

 report. Donald S. FitzGibbon and Mrs. Saralyn VJolff checked and prepared 

 in final form, the statistical material. The project was financed with 

 funds made available by the Saltons tall-Kennedy Act, approved July 1, 

 195h (68 Stat. 376). 



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