EDIBLE SHELLFISH OF THE CHILEAN COAST 281 



lanic province, it is consumed fresh in great quantities wherever abun- 

 dant. 



Crustacea 



Lithodes antarcticiis (Hombron et Jacquinot, 1853). CENTOLLA 

 (King crab). A crustacean much sought after for processing due to the 

 quahty and good taste of its flesh. The catch during 1950 and 1951 

 has decreased considerably, being of 61 and 55 tons respectively, while 

 in years of abundance (1946) it amounted to 126 tons. Its area of dis- 

 tribution on the Chilean coast extends from Puerto Montt to the Strait 

 of Magellan. It has also been found in the deep waters of the coast of 

 Buenos Aires, Argentina. The fishing grounds in Chile are in the region 

 of Calbuco, Quellon, Aysen, southern canals, and the Strait of Magellan; 

 in the Republic of Argentina it is caught in Ushuaia, in the Beagle 

 canal, but production in that country is lower than in Chile (43 tons 

 in 1938), (Carcelles, 1946). It is fished in shallow waters during the 

 season when it approaches the beaches. It is sold canned in oil, but its 

 fresh consumption is also considerable, though not recorded statistically 

 (Schwabe, 1939 and 1941). 



Jasus lalendei frontalis (Milne Edwards, 1837). LANGOSTA DE 

 JUAN FERNANDEZ (Spiny lobster) found in the Archipelago of Juan 

 Fernandez and the Desventuradas Island (San Ambrosio and San Felix), 

 (Holthuis, 1951). Because of its economic importance and the great 

 domestic and foreign demand from Argentina, where it is also sent by 

 air, unsuccessful attempts have been made to acclimatize this species in 

 the Chilean mainland coast (Albert, 1898). Production registered be- 

 tween 1945 and 1951 shows the lowest catch in 1946 (56 tons) and the 

 highest in 1948 (106 tons). 



Balaiius (Megabalanus) psittacus (Molina, 1782). PICO DE MAR 

 or PICOROCO (Giant acorn-shell) in the region of Chiloe. Its wide 

 area of distribution extends from Pascamayo (Peru) to the Strait of 

 Magellan. Principal processing centres are Calbuco and Puerto Montt. 

 The most important crustacean for industrial pvnposes, canned "au 

 naturel" and in oil, and also in great demand for fresh consumption. 

 Its catch amounted in 1945 to 307 tons and increased in 1951 to 407 

 tons. 



LANGOSTINOS (Plated lobsters). This name is given in Chile to 

 three species: Munida gregaria Leach, Pleuroncodes rnonodon Milne 

 Edwards, and Cervimunida johni Porter, 1903. They are canned in 

 jelly, mostly in the Valparaiso zone. In 1951, 19 tons were processed. 



AP ANGORAS (Crabs). Statistics on shellfish production compiled 

 by the Chilean Department of Fish and Game (Hernandez, 1953) in- 

 clude under this item all species of JAIBtAS (Crabs) consumed in Chile, 



