pounds of slirimp were talen in 1952, 206,000 pounds in 1953, and U09,000 

 pounds in 195U. 53/ It is believed that the 195U catch was about 500,000 

 pounds, headless weight, with a value of ±>out 3,500,000 soles ($i;l82,300), IV 



Shrimp are caught throughout the year, but the best season was 

 reported to be between October and March. The government has not estab- 

 lished closed seasons. 



OUTLOOK FOR PxRODUGTION 



Because the range for shri^np is limited both by lack of suitable 

 niirsery grounds for the young and by lack of feeding grounds for the adults, 

 Peru has little possibility of producing much more shrimp than the estimated 

 500,000 pounds, headless vreight, that were caught in 195U» The only nursery 

 ground of any magnitude is that near Puerto Pizzaro. To the south thare 

 seem to be no nursery grounds, and the abrupt coast and the cold waters of 

 the Humboldt current limit the area in which the adults may live. 



It seersis lilcely that many of the shrimp caught in Peru were 

 migrants from Ecuador. If shrimp population pressure off Ecuador was 

 ra sponsible for such migrations, it can be anticipated that as the Ecuadoran 

 fishery increases, there will be fewer migrants moving into the waters of 

 northern Peru* 



The potential of the fishery is estimated to be between 600,000 

 and 900,000 pounds annually. 



FISHERIMI Airo GEAR 



In October, 1955, there were only about 10 men fishing for 

 shrimp* IJlien the fishery was at its pealc (195U and early 1955) over 150 

 men iiere engployed in catcldja^ shrimp. Usually the creirs consisted of four 

 men, one of whom was always ashore. The boats ij-ere operated around the 

 clock with three menj they returned to port every 2 days to unload the 

 catch, take on more ice, put one man ashore and talce aboard the crev; member 

 who had been ashore 2 daySo By rotating in this manner each man worked 6 

 days and nights and then had 2 days off. 



The boats, gear, and all operating expenses i:are provided by 

 the coitpanies. Each crew m.ember was allowed 5 soles (about 26 cents) 

 a day for rations. In addition, the crew were permitted to keep ell 

 marketable fish for themselves, xjhich was usually sufficient to cover 

 additional food costs. The crevrs were paid 3 soles (about 16 cents) for 



53/ United States imports from Peru in 1951| were about Iih7,000 poimds. 

 "^/ Free e:<:change in October, 1955, was U. S. $1.00 = 19.20 soles. 



Ili8 



