Production costs for a privately owned trawler were estimated to 

 be about 28 cents a pound for an annual catch of 55iOOO pounds, headless 

 weight. Crew \iages were estimated to be 12 cents a pound, and operation 

 and maintenance costs, including insurance and depreciation, were estimated 

 at 16 cents. 



PROCESSING AND JIARKETING 



The freezing of shrimp is but a minor part of the general 

 freezing operations, which normally are for slcipjack, yellowfin tuna, 

 and sxiordfish. During 195U and part of 1955, one shore and three floating 

 plants were operating part-time in freezing shriitp. All were based at, or 

 near, Mane or a. 



The shriiiip are headed at sea immediately after capture and are 

 iced down in large insulated boxes. At Mancora the boxes are loaded onto 

 slcLffs or balsa rafts, transported through the surf to the beach, placed on 

 trucks, and carried to the plant. Upon arrival at the plant the shrimp are 

 placed in a metal tanlc and given ti^o washings ivlth sea water and a final 

 rinse in fresh water. They are then layer-packed in 5-pound cartons and 

 given a top glaze after freezing. 



Since Mancora has no pier, the frozen shrimp destined for e^jort 

 must be lightered through the surf to the cargo boats. 



All cartons are 1- eruvian-made . Because of s elling price, operating 

 costs, freight, and e3q)ort duties, the plant operators claimed they could 

 not profitably pack and freeze shrimp for export that were smaller than 

 16/20 to tlie pound, headless. 



The plant workers handle shrimp along xri.th other fishery products. 

 The plant workers are all mala, and at the peak of production about 35 

 were employed part-ti:nQ on shrimp. The workers received 2 soles (about 

 10 cents) an hour for a UU-hour week, but vfith overtime they averaged 

 between ;;f5 and $6 weekly. Time and a half is paid for overtime, and double 

 time on Sundays and holidays. The workers are not unionized. 



The government has made no specific effort to assist the develop- 

 ment of the shrimp fisheries. 



F0Ri^:iGN TRADE 



Exports and export taxes 



Peruvian records do not show separately shrimp exports before 1953 • 

 In that year about 332,000 pounds (gross weight) of frozen shrimp were 

 exported, according to tlie records of the government. In 195U the amount 

 rose to 507,000 pounds. All shrimp exports vxent to the United States. 



150 



