No. 6 (1922) 



FISH SUPPLY OF MADRAS 



141 



splendens (Kali Karal), E. daura (Namakaral), E. blochii and Gazza 

 miimtah (Kottu Karal), Gerres lucidus (Udan) and Gerres filamentosus 

 (Val Udan). 



As seen from the following statement August is the best month 

 for Gerridae. Equula and Gazza are common from August till 

 November, while the season for Gerres is from February to July. 



The Ribbon fish or the hairtail (Tricliiurits) forms the second 

 most important food fish in Madras, while in Tuticorin it takes a 

 very low place among the food fishes. During the inshore fishing 

 experiments of Madras (1918-19) it did not figure as an important 

 fish being seventeenth in rank. Three species of Trichiurus (Savalai, 

 Olai valai and Karthigai valai) occur in Madras, Trichiurus muticus, 

 T. haumela, and T. sa.va.la- These are sometimes used with deadly 

 effect as bait for seer : — 



Months. lb. 



July ... 987 



August 4,645 



September ... ... . ... 17,850 



RS. A. 



121 4 



477 5 



1.734 o 



