HORNELL MARINE RESOURCES 



23 



up in barrels, and a considerable proportion are laid down in English waters either 

 to fatten and improve in quality, or to await a better market. 



When abundant they may be canned for export or their flesh dried for despatch 

 to China where there is a large and steady demand for such and similar delicacies. 



The industry in Okhamandal is, however, too limited by restricted area to permit 

 of the latter uses, which necessitate both a very extensive and very cheap supply. If 

 anything be done, it must be, as at Karachi, in the supply to inland towns of high class 

 live shellfish. This can be effected only when means of rapid transport be available, 

 which will come when a railway be built from Aramra to Nawanagar, and when a 

 fishery expert be available to initiate methods and demonstrate how simple is the 

 procedure to be followed and, it is hoped, how profitable the results obtainable. 



* 



FIG. 8. Oyster rocks between tide-marks at Poshetra Point. The species is 0. crista-yalli. 



Aramra Creek is an ideal situation for oyster cultivation. The area is fairly 

 extensive and is favoured with exceptionally great abundance of suitable oyster food 

 (diatoms and algal spores were profuse in the plankton taken there), suitable bottom 

 exposed over the whole area at certain spring tides, and lastly, complete protection 

 from rough seas. 



In many ways Aramra Creek has a close resemblance to Brightlingsea Creek in 

 Essex, famous alike to oyster culturist and yachtsman. The advantages are, however, 

 with Aramra ; the area of hard bottom composed of shingle set in a soft clay or 

 compact mud, is greater, and forms an admirable "laying ground" requiring little 

 improvement by cleaning and cultching. It is here that oysters are now found 

 naturally in fine condition. Others, again, are found towards the head of the 

 creek attached to the roots of mangroves lining the banks. It would be a very 



