Perú's Fishing Tradition
Perú, on the West coast of South America, has a long tradition of being a fishing country. Even in ancient times, many Peruvians made their living by fishing, as about 600,000 people still do today. Perú is one of the countries that exports the most fish in the world.
The most important fish that Peruvian fishermen catch is the anchovy, which is used to make fish meal. Fish meal is made into fertilizer, animal feed, and other products. Another important anchovy export is fish oil. Now that the anchovy industry has suffered because of "El Niño", some fishermen now catch tuna and sardines to compensate for their loss. The people of Perú also use the guano from ocean birds to make fertilizer.
The ocean near Perú has the most diverse
group of sea life in the world, with
over 700 species, including crustaceans, mollusks, and many different
types of fish. This ocean is the third most important for fishing in the
world.
Effects of Weather and Environment
The Ocean and Peruvian Culture
Sources and Helpful Links
| Curator: Beth Jewell, beth.jewell@fcps.edu |
 |
| WSHS | Science |
| Oceanography | Biology GT | Jewell's Wanderings | Daycamp | Field Trip | Elementary Visits |