This document analyzes population dynamics of 10 benthic shellfish species commercially fished along northern Chile. Time series data from 1998-2005 on catch per unit effort (CPUE) were used to model annual population growth rates. Models incorporated both endogenous density-dependent factors and exogenous oceanographic factors including sea surface temperature, Southern Oscillation Index, and upwelling index. The best models for each species explained a high percentage (average 88%) of variance in population growth rates and included effects of both endogenous and exogenous factors, indicating populations are regulated by intraspecific interactions and physical forcing during early life stages. Results highlight the importance of considering both endogenous and exogenous factors in models to better understand natural population regulation and