288 EIGHTH PACIFIC SCIENCE CONGRESS 



the Station, which is a small number compared with the 16 species 

 missing in the waters of Talcahuano (36°44'S;, and 12 in the waters 

 ol Antofagasta (23°38'S). 



The annual changes of temperature oi the surface waters on the 

 coast of Chile, besides determining the characteristics of the fish fauna 

 and the migrations of many of the species of fish, also establish a typical 

 annual cycle of plankton. Two distinct periods are found in the abund- 

 ance of plankton; the rich Spring period, which extends until the be- 

 ginning of Summer, and the poor Autumn period until the commence- 

 ment of Winter. In July and August there are also two short periods 

 of abundance and scarcity respectively (P. Yahez— Informacion preli- 

 minar sobre el ciclo anual de plancton superficial en la Bahia de Val- 

 paraiso ("Preliminary notes on the annual cycle of the surface plankton 

 of the Bay of Valparaiso"), Rev. Biol. Mar. I, 1, pp. 57-59). 



Around one fifth of the 260 coastal and pelagic species {Selachii 

 and Teleosto?ni), listed for the Chilean coast up to date (Henry W. 

 Fowler— Fishes of Chile. Rev. Cliilenn de Hist. Nat. Santiago, Chile. 

 1943), are used as food by the inhabitants of the country. However, 

 not more than twenty, in view of the volume of the catch and industrial 

 value, are of real commercial importance. 



A list of the species of fish of commercial value follows. 



It is arranged systematically. Between brackets, following the sci- 

 entific name, is given the common denomination of the species mostly 

 utilized in the country, followed by the annual catch in tons, taken from 

 Moises Hernandez Ponce— Informaciones estadisticas sobre la Pesca 

 (Statistical Information on the Fisheries) Valparaiso, Chile. 1953. 



CLASS PISCES 



SUB- CLASS ELASMOBRANCHII 



ORDER SQUALIFORMS 



Family Squalidae 



l.—Squalus fernandinus MoL, 1782. Small size species found in 

 the water off the island of Juan Fernandez and in the continental coast 

 of Chile, from Valparaiso southwards. It has been extensively fished 

 until recently because of its liver, which is very rich in vitamin oil. 



ORDER LAMNIFORMS 



Family Carcharidae 



2.-Mustelus mento (Cope, 1877) (TOLLO; 800 tons) Species of 

 medium size. Found from the Gulf of Arauco to Peru; mainly caught 

 between Caldera and Coquimbo. It has excellent flesh, which is con- 

 sumed fresh, dry, salted or smoked. 



