Given their already intimate knowledge of marine resources, the introduction of the fishhook prompted a major turning point in the lives of the marine hunter-gatherers of the Arid North region. From that point onward, fishing took on a central role in their economy. Later, the invention of the sea lion skin raft would further enhance that economy by enabling these groups to fish on the open ocean, using their harpoons to hunt whales, turtles or swordfish directly on the water. Fishing was especially productive, providing a surplus that enabled these groups to trade some of their catch with inland groups of the desert oases and the Altiplano, who sent their traders down to settlements on the coast such as those located near the present-day city of Taltal.
In exchange for dried fish, the desert caravans traded corn, quinoa and camelid yarn, as well as manufactured goods such as textiles, ceramic wares and metal items. The effectiveness of the marine fishing, hunting and gathering way of life, coupled with the fact that other groups showed little interest in this territory, allowed these groups to flourish even into the 19th century in some parts of the northern coast, where they were known as the Chango people. Indeed, a similar way of life is still practiced today by mestizo populations living in localities such as Caleta El Fierro, which was once inhabited by those ancient fishing peoples.