the domestic market. Increased landings were made possible main- 

 ly by private companies who introduced motor-driven launches outfit- 

 ted with modern gear, such as purse seines for tuna and gill or 

 drift nets for bonito. Tuna and tunalike fish' landings by Peru- 

 vian fishermen are shown in table 40. 



TABLE 40. - PERU: LANDINGS OF TUNA AND TUNALIKE FISHES, 1939-1952 



1/ January to Jpne inclusive, 



Tuna landings by Peruvian fishermen have been disposed of 

 fresh, frozen, or canned in oil or brine, as shown by the latest 

 available data in table 41. 



The export of tuna, at first principally to Italy, increased 

 steadily until 1946. It is claimed that tuna played an important 

 role in relieving famine conditions in certain parts of Europe 

 toward the end and immediately .f'Ler World War II. Vflien UNRRA dis-. 

 continued further purchases of relief supplies in 1947, Peru hkd al- 

 ready established other markets for its canned tuna. The bulk was 

 shipped to the Uni.ted States; such European countries as Belgium, 

 Luxembourg, Italy, and Switzerland imported smaller but significant 

 amounts. Exports from Peru continued to increase but in 1951 show- 

 ed a slight drop. Table 42 gives details about the Peruvian exports 

 of canned tuna. 



147 



