597.55(53.1) 253 



€39.(53.1) 



IV 



The Grey Mullet Fishery in Japan 



THERE are three known species of Mugii in Japan, namely, 

 M. cephalotus, 31. hacmatochcilws, and M. joyneri. 



The first species is known by the name of Shiromc (white eyed), 

 Bora, Nayoshi, &c, and while immature Subashiri, Oboko, Ina, &c., 

 according to different stages of development. The second species is 

 called Akame (red eyed), Sliukuchi, &c. ; and the third species, 

 Mr ina. The first species is abundant along the whole coast of the 

 main island or Hondo, and is captured throughout the whole year. 

 In summer we find innumerable fry of this fish in brackish water, 

 and often in fresh water too. In spring the fish migrate in shoals 

 towards shallow water, and remain scattered there during the whole 

 summer, while in autumn they assemble together and form shoals 

 again and migrate along the coast. Then as winter approaches 

 they gradually seek warmer and deeper water, and pass the cold 

 season in rather a dormant state. They are also cultured in 

 brackish ponds, and sometimes in canals round such rice fields as 

 are near the sea.. Their average length is a little more than a 

 foot. 



The second species, Mugil haematocheilus, is abundant in the 

 southern district, and is caught in autumn when it comes in 

 large shoals towards the coast for the purpose of spawning. Roes 

 of this fish are salted and dried, and are highly esteemed as a 

 delicacy. This fish attains a larger size (about two feet) than the 

 preceding species. 



The third species, 31. joyneri, is not abundant, and consequently 

 is not important economically. 



The average annual catch of the grey mullet is about four 

 hundred thousand yen in value, about £40,000. There are very 

 diverse methods for its capture. Sweep-seines, dip-nets, pound- 

 nets, hand-nets, stop-nets, set-nets, drift-nets, cast-nets, and drift- 

 lines are the chief apparatus used for the purpose. These appliances 

 are chiefly used in shallow waters, not more than ten fathoms in 

 depth, as the fish are mostly found in these parts. 



The mullet, especially Mugil cephalotus, is said to be frightened 

 by sound and light. Moreover, it is said that the fish hate the 

 presence of oily substances, so that they turn their route of migra- 



