No. 3 (1922) Grey mullets of tuticorin 73 



tional storm, and the lagoon has reverted to its original nature. 

 During the period of closure, the water reached a high degree of 

 salinity, and though many fishes perished, the mullets survived 

 the trying conditions and were apparently not affected; their 

 adaptability in this respect is astonishing. 



METHODS OF FISHING. 



Fishermen come to the lagoon at certain times with the definite 

 expectation of obtaining mullets as the principal constituent of 

 their catch. The most auspicious conditions to the fishermen are 

 high tide periods and a strong westerly wind ; good hauls are 

 expected particularly in June and July. 



When the tide has receded to its full extent, a gill net called the 

 " kalamkatti valai " is buried in a shallow trench excavated in the 

 sand or mud near the water's edge. The incoming tide passes over 

 the buried net and brings its quota of fishes ; then at the turn of 

 the tide, the net is raised above the water and staked in this posi- 

 tion. A screen is thus erected to prevent the escape of the fish with 

 the receding tide, and when the water is well down, the fishes are 

 taken in baskets. The area so enclosed corresponds to the high 

 and low water marks, and may be about 30 yards broad, depending, 

 naturally, upon the slope of the shore. 



Mullets are captured in the lagoon along with larger fishes, such 

 as Lates calcifera, by means of a drag net, but the kalamkatti valai 

 is unquestionably the mullet net. This net is used also on sand- 

 banks which are only exposed at low tides, and in this case, the 

 net, or series of nets united, is arranged in a wide circle. 



Mullets are sportive fishes and can jump to considerable heights 

 above the water ; the antics and vocal demonstrations of the fisher- 

 men, designed to prevent the escape of fishes over the net, are, to 

 say the least, amusing. 



Fishing generally occurs twice a month, during the periods of 

 highest tides, and then three or four catches are made on alternate 

 days in each period. In a good catch, the quantity of mullets 

 obtained may exceed 100 lb., the sale of which may be expected 

 to realize Rs. 15, provided the fishes are of fair size ; small-sized 

 fishes in the same quantity would scarcely realize-Rs. 6. Intending 

 purchasers attend the fishery and bid for the catch, which is imme- 

 diately removed for sale, since mullets begin to putrefv^^af^^J^ 

 hours in the warm climate. /\ rt oTi; \/ 



LIBRARY^ 



