40 U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 



codfish have been imported into the country in any amounts for 

 some six or eight months. At the present time the demand is very 

 small and everybody seems afraid to buy. 



The season for codfish in Chile is between the months of April and 

 August, and it is thought that one of the chief reasons for thedack 

 of importation is due to the fact that the past season proved a failure, 

 as very little demand was made on codfish, with the result that the 

 market is cautious as to stocking for the coming season. On the 

 basis of 50 pesos gold per case of 40 kilos the present market price 

 of codfish is about 21 cents United States gold per pound. From 

 inquiry it appears that the only reason foreign brands of codfish, 

 etc., are preferred is because of the lower price, combined with the 

 fact that importers are afraid to risk bringing in American cod due 

 to the arrival of shipments in bad condition. 



CONCEPCION. 



[By Doyle C. McDonough, consul, November 22, 1921.] 



Fish are very plentiful in the rivers of the southern part of Chile 

 and in the neighboring ocean, although the number of species is 

 said to be small. The fisheries are unorganized and supply only the 

 market of Chile. The principal fish which are extensively caught 

 and eaten are the following: The "congrio," including the red 

 "congrio" (Genypterus hlacodes) and the black " congrio " {Genypterus 

 chilensis), the ''corbina" {Cilus montti), the "pejerrey" {Atherinch- 

 thys regia microlepidota and A. mauleanum), the "robalo" {Eleginus 

 maclovinus and E. functipennis) ; and the "lisa" {Mugil cephalus, 

 M. rammelshergi, and M. curema). These fish exist in great 

 abundance and are excellent for table consumption. There are 

 several other varieties which are not considered so good for food, but 

 are abundant and are also consumed as food. Among these latter 

 are the fish which are known as the "pescada" (Menuccms gayi). 

 Of these fish the ''pejerrey," the "lisa, and the "robalo" are both 

 fresh and salt water fish, while the "congrio," the "pescada," and 

 the "corbina" are found only in salt water. Salmon, salmon trout, 

 and carp;have been put in the rivers, the two former being found in 

 fair numbers in some of the rivers, such as the Cautin River. Salmon 

 were brought from Germany in 1905. There is a fish hatchery on 

 the Cautin River at Lautaro, Province of Cautin, which has stocked 

 the rivers of Southern Chile with salmon and also breeds other fish, 

 such as carp and "pejerreys." It has been hoped that the salmon- 

 canning industry could be established in Chile, but this seems very 

 doubtful. Sardines are numerous at certain times of the year and 

 are packed to a small extent at San Vicente, near Talcahuano. 

 Dolphin and right whales are also abimdant, a whale having been 

 caught in Conccpcion Bay at Talcahuano recently. 



Shellfish of many kinds are numerous. Oysters of good flavor are 

 grown near Puerto Montt and Calbuco in the Province of Llanquihue 

 and in the waters of the island and Province of Chiloe. Mussels are 

 very abundant and are highly regarded as food. Crabs of several 

 kinds are found in large quantities and are highly esteemed. Several 

 kinds of barnacles are eaten. The most important of these is the 

 large species known as the "pico" (Balanus psittacus). These are 



