254 EIGHTH PACIFIC SCIENCE CONGRESS 



The marine fauna of the Chilean coastal waters fall into two major 

 biogeographical provinces. The northern section belongs to the tem- 

 perate West South American or Peruvian-Chilean province, with its 

 northern boundary at Agujas Point (Peru) and with its southern ex- 

 treme in Chiloe Island, where the sub-Antarctic or Patagonian province 

 begins. 



The narrowness of the continental shelf confines the productive 

 trawl fishery to limited areas between Quintero and Chiloe I., but the 

 pelagic or high sea fisheries, virtually untapped, constitute invaluable 

 potential resources. 



Fish and shellfish are found in great abundance in Chilean waters 

 and are so regularly available generally as to form a secure and sustained 

 base for a greatly expanded one. Among the species represented are 

 tuna (albacore and yellowfin), bonito, swordfish, sardines, herring and 

 anchovies, cusk eel (the delicious "congrio"), mackerel, king crab, lob- 

 ster, shrimp, oyster, etc. From these, products that are in constant de- 

 mand in world markets may be derived. Some of the species mentioned 

 —sardines and anchovies, e.g.— may be taken in mass production fishing 

 at low cost for drying and salting to be marketed as a valuable food 

 product which keeps well, is highly concentrated and can be easily dis- 

 tributed. 



2. Labour and Equipment 



a) Fishermen. 



There are about 7500 men regularly engaged in fishing. The cen- 

 sus of fishermen as of January 1950 gives 7229 fishermen operating all 

 along the Chilean coast and 426 crewmen on fishing boats over 10 tons 

 working for canneries; in the 1943 census the number of fishermen was 

 given as 5517. In addition, the number of workmen in canneries and 

 processing plants is 3816. In total, there are 11,471 men engaged in 

 fishing and fish processing. In the Talcahuano region alone the number 

 of the fishermen amounts to 2000. 



The fishermen of Chile appear to form a homogeneous group. The 

 great majority of them are hard working, enterprising, and intelligent. 

 Because of these qualities they are capable of mastering new techniques. 

 With expert instruction there is no doubt at all that they may be relied 

 upon to develop increasing productivity. Surveys indicate that the chief 

 problem among fishermen is lack of means to purchase adequate craft 

 and gear. The average income of fishermen ranges from 1000 to 2000 

 pesos monthly, but individually might vary from about 500 to 8000 

 pesos (official rate: 1 American dollar =110 Chilean pesos). 



