\^ MADRAS FISHERIES BULLErltf VOL, Xllt 



46. Fishing experiments. — Experiments were made on a small 

 scale with seine and trammel nets at Tuticorin. Two nets were 

 made locally and tried with the help of the crew of the Fisheries 

 vessels during the off-season, but the results were indefinite as the 

 experiments were not conducted systematically, the services of the 

 crew not being available during the chank season. Similar experi- 

 ments in the use of a long line with many hooks were indefinite for 

 the same reason. Two Katnagiri machwas were sent to Tuticorin 

 from the west coast, but the Eatnagiri men, who were paid fixed 

 daily wages, refused to fish beyond Hare Island. If the experi- 

 ments with these mackwas is repeated, I think that the crew should 

 be paid partly by a share in the proceeds of the fishing. 



47. Tuticorin fish farm. — The works in connexion with this farm 

 were completed during the year. The sluice and weir were banded 

 over to the Department of Fisheries on 26th September 1919 by the 

 Public Works Department. On 22nd March 1920 the beach be- 

 tween the farm and the sea was breached by the sea owing to high 

 tides and the farm was rendered useless. It will require a consider- 

 able sum to restore the farm to its condition when handed over and 

 I am myself doubtful whether it is advisable to repeat the experi- 

 ment on the same lines. I am inclined to think that it will be 

 advisable to confine the farm to the inner lagoon leaving the outer 

 lagoon open to the sea. The works between the outer lagoon and 

 the inner lagoon will not be exposed to the same force as the sea 

 beach between the outer lagoon and the sea. I have however left 

 the matter to lie over till Mr. Hornell's return. The Deputy 

 Commissioner of Salt has at my request kindly consented to give 

 advice regarding the construction of fish farms as the problems 

 involved in their protection and in the admission of salt water into 

 and the drainage of salt water from fish farms is similar to the 

 corresponding problems involved in the preparation of a site for a 

 salt factory. The experience of the Salt Department is therefore 

 likely to be^valuable to the Fisheiies Department in this respect. 



48. Fisheries vessels. — The Lad^ Nicholson is still without engi- 

 nes, but is* otherwise in good order. Proposals were made by Lieut. 

 Allan to render her more stable and these are still under considera- 

 tion as well as the proposals for refitting her with new engines. 

 During the inspection of pearl banks the Ladf/ Nicholson had to be 

 towed by the motor launch Lcvereit. The Leveret^' was also engaged 

 at Rameswaram in towing canoes in connexion with chank fisheries. 

 Proposals for altering the Lever atl so as to make her more sea- worthy 

 were under consideration. The two small launches the Sutherland 

 and the Pear/ were used for towing canoes in connexion with the 

 chank fisheries, the former at Tuticorin and the latter at Rames- 

 waram. During the chank off season the Pearl was placed at the 



