No. 2 (1922) LACCADIVE FISHERIES 63 



of coconut wood by the fishermen locally and they are very nicely 

 fashioned. They are generally 12 feet long and \V 2 to 2 inches 

 thick. The harpoon head is either single for catching ordinary fish 

 or has triple (big) prongs, used when spearing big fishes, parti- 

 cularly ayakura and kudiraimin, etc. 



The iron head (uli) is attached loosely by means of a socket to 

 the end of the pole {kalavti) in such a way that, as soon it is thrust 

 into a fish, the head, to which a long rope of 30 to 50 fathoms is 

 tied, readily becomes detached. When the animal is exhausted it 

 is hauled up alongside and lifted into the boat — a short gaff being 

 used for the purpose. 



Another form of spearing often practised in the lagoons in all 

 the islands during dark nights is termed in the vernacular 

 " chuttu." In the dusk just after sunset, the fishermen set out in a 

 boat provided with a number of dried coconut leaves made into long 

 bundles and several of the peculiar spearing poles; the name of 

 the spear is " chilla" The head is ma r le of wooden spikes of two 

 sizes and placed concentrically in two slightly diverging circles. 

 The spikes of the outer row are thicker; those of the inner, thinner 

 and a little shorter; both of them are very firmly fixed by being 

 tied on with coir twine. In addition to its use in the lagoon for 

 " chuttu " fishing, it is also used in the open sea for capturing flying- 

 fish. In the lagoon elongated fishes are those most frequently 

 caught, e.g., Sphyraena, Belone, Hemirhamphus, etc. 



Line fishing. — This is the most important method of fishing 

 practised in the islands, and, combined with spearing, gives the 

 men of the island great sport at times. The pleasure which they 

 exhibit when they catch specially big fishes is notable. The hooks 

 generally used are of three to four sizes, ranging from small steel 

 hooks of European manufacture to those measuring 8 inches long and 

 V\ to Vx inch thick of local make. That used when fishing for sharks 

 is secured by iron or brass chain, about a yard long, to prevent the 

 line being bitten through. The medium and small sized ones are 

 tied to the rope in the usual manner. That kept specially for 

 catching ayakura and kudiraimin is a triple pointed one of local 

 make. The line is ordinarily 30 to 50 fathoms long. About 4 to 5 

 such coils are carried in every boat together with two or three 

 harpoons of both forms. The harpoon head used for catching 

 turtles is armed with a single barb. 

 4 



