66 MADRAS FISHERIES BULLETIN VOL. XV, 



not succeed in doing anything practical. The general opinion, 

 however, of the island people is that the fish are available in good 

 numbers, and that it is only their ignorance of the methods of 

 capturing (curing is not considered difficult) which stands in the 

 way of the industry being taken up by them. 



In order to know whether any Minikoi men will be willing to 

 teach the fishermen of the other islands "mas" fishing and 

 curing, I made inquiries of the boatman who took us back to the 

 steamer from Minikoi, by name Muhammad Ismail. He appears 

 to have travelled in South India and has a smattering of Tamil 

 He says he possesses a knowledge not only of bonito capturing 

 and curing as followed in Minikoi, but also a fair knowledge of the 

 Laccadive sea in general. In his opinion this particular fish is 

 available everywhere as also the bait required, and that the pro- 

 cesses can be easily taught to the other islanders. He is willing to 

 undertake the special work. He expects the period of training 

 required will take not less than six months, but with regard to the 

 remuneration expected by him, he is not specific. If the adminis- 

 trative authorities open the question, it seems to me, there is every 

 likelihood of this man (or any other) taking up the work. 



General fishery prospects and conclusions. — From my observation, 

 study and inquiry into the methods of fishing and curing adopted 

 by the islanders, and also taking into consideration the knowledge 

 and experience of the department in deep-sea fishing methods 

 (which is practically the case with the fishing from these islands, 

 for we get into great depths a few yards off the reef), I am of 

 opinion that we cannot render any advice, other than theoretical, 

 in the matter of improving catches and curing. It seems to me 

 that if we can try to create a market for their cured fish, for which 

 again experiments should be made for the supply and distribution 

 of duty-free salt through the present Government agency, the 

 fishing and curing will improve of themselves. It is the want of 

 a suitable market which causes the fishermen to restrict their 

 attempts to catch more fish. As described elsewhere only lining 

 and spearing are adopted generally, and the long drag net from 

 the shore is only a subsidiary method practised during low tides. 

 The cast net is used only as an occasional method to obtain a supply 

 for their daily curry. The big fishes caught by lining and har- 

 pooning are now consumed, more or less fresh, and the creation of 

 a market for salted fish, and salt supply, free or at concession rates, 



