CHILE 8/ 



Chilean shrimp production is insignificant in 

 comparison with the total fish catch. In 19yh about 223 

 thou£5-'id pounds of shrinip \icve laivJed as against a total 

 fish catch of over 2jO million pounds, round vjeights. 

 All of the shri.7,p caught are consumed locally. 



There are at least three species of Crustacea 

 found in Chilean vjaters that can properly be called shrimp. 

 In addition to the shrimp there is the "langostino" 

 (probably several species of the family Galatheidae, the 

 most important of vihich appears to be Cervomunida johni ) 

 which is not truly a shrimp. The yield in cooked peeled 

 meats per unit weight of live animal is about 13 percent 

 for shrimp but only 7 percent for the langostinos. 



The prospect of increasing the shrimp catch in 

 the present areas of operation appears favorable. It is 

 high-ly probable that new fishing areas will be found as 

 the market grows. The prospect for an increase in pro- 

 duction for export purposes seems to be more immediate 

 and more likely in the case of the langostino. It 

 is probable that the langostino occurs in abundance over 

 a great length of the Chilean coast. 



COMffiRClAL SPECIES AND FISHING GROUI'JDS 



There are at least three species — and probably more not yet 

 identified — that can properly be calJ.ed siirirap. The shrimp nearest 

 shore (taken in depths to 30 fathoms) is called the beach shrimp, 

 "camaron de la playa." The species Rynchocinetes typus is a small 

 shrimp that runs a hundred or more to the pouiid, headless. It is of 

 minor importance and is usually taken by traps and sold alive to 

 nearby taverns and restaurants. 



The pinlc or nylon shrimp, H eterocarpus reedi , is a recently 

 described pandalid shrimp, pink in color, occuring in depths between 

 one and two hundred fathoms. This also is a small species, though 

 somewhat larj^ier than the beach shrimp. These shrimp are fished for 

 only on occasions as the market demands; they are brought in whole, 

 i;ithout ice, and sold cooked-peeled, either fresh or frozen. 



8/ The survey of Chile was made in October 1955 and this date, unless 

 otherwise specified, is implied when current events or prices are 

 alluded to. 



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