278 EIGHTH PACIFIC SCIENCE CONGRESS 



mann's study published by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences (Vol. 

 XXII, Report II), modifying the generic denominations of the Atheri- 

 Jiidae according to our own judgment. We have kept in mind for 

 the north of Chile the similar fish fauna of Peru, as described in Hil- 

 debrand's paper {U.S. Nat. Mus. Bull. 189, 1946), and for the Southern 

 part of the country, Norman's paper in the Discovery Reports (vol. 

 XVI, 1937). 



During our assignment in Chile (15 February to 15 August 1953), 

 we continued the work started by Dr. Erick M. Poulsen, FAO expert, 

 who concentrated on the biology of bottom fishes, especially the hake 

 (two species of Merluccius). We have paid special attention to pelagic 

 species, of seasonal abundance in the fishing grounds, including repre- 

 sentatives of the Thunnidae, Cybiidae, Xiphiidae, Engraulidae and Clu- 

 peidae. 



At the time of our survey, all the Thunnidae approached the Chi- 

 lean coast in search of food, with their gonads inactive. Neothunnus 

 macropterus, which appears off the coasts of the provinces of Tarapaca 

 and Antofagasta comes in through oceanic waters, feeding then prin- 

 cipally on pelagic crustaceans, and soon invades the green coastal v.'aters 

 in search of Engraulis; this fishery is the basis of a coming industry, 

 and in years of abundance a catch of about 1,000 tons is obtained, al- 

 though in poor years the catch diminishes to only 50 tons a year. Ger- 

 mo alalunga, called Germo germo by some authors, is the tuna of cen- 

 tral Chile, which in small groups can reach Talcahuano and is also 

 frequent along the northern zone. It may be missing some years, but 

 even with the present primitive fishing gear, up to 500 tons a year can 

 be caught. Albacore is used for fresh fish consumption, either directly 

 or frozen, or for canning. 



We had the opportunity to examine some specimens of what we 

 have called Thunnus thynnus saliens in view of the small differences 

 observeci compared with Atlantic tuna. Its scarcity is due principally to 

 the gear employed, which is the same used to catch albacore, and which 

 do not stand the strain of very big specimens. 



The only Cybiidae of Chile, Sarda cliilensis, with a catch of nearly 

 5,000 tons, approaches the north coast to spawn, generally in cold green 

 water; in July specimens with very developed gonads are found. 



The swordfish, inhabitant of warm, blue, oceanic waters, is of great 

 economic importance, as up to 2,000 tons per year can be caught off 

 the northern coast. It appears also at times in the Valparaiso area 

 reaching as far south as Talcahuano. 



We have only been able to find one Engraulidae in Chilean waters 

 {Engraulis rengens), of which we studied more than 1,000 specimens. 



