No. 6 (1922) 



FISH SUPPLY OF MADRAS 



155 



The Nair fish or Cock-up (Lates calcarifer) is a very highly 

 esteemed food fish being free from small bones. The frightful 

 appearance of the mouth which gapes after death has acquired 

 for it the Tamil name Koduwa. The fish is very common in 

 backwaters. In Pulicat lake Koduwa fishing is an interesting 

 event looked forward to with pleasure by the fishermen every 

 year. During the hot months fishermen of all kuppams around the 

 lake join together and with special large meshed nets fish speci- 

 mens running even to 4 feet in length. The weights and values 

 of Koduwa sold in the Madras markets during the year are as 

 under — 



Months. 

 July 



August ... 

 September 

 October ... 

 November 

 December 

 January ... 

 February 

 March 

 April 

 May 

 June 



Total 



The Indian salmon or " Roeball " is a fish held in high esteem. 

 It is often caught both in the sea and backwaters by anglers 

 standing on the shore. The species seen in the markets were 

 Polyncmus sexlarius, P. tetradactylus and P. indicus (Kala). Though 

 sold all the year round, the best months are February, April and 

 October. The weights and values of roeball, or bamln as it is also 

 called, sold this year are — 



Months. 



July 



August 



September 



October ... 



November 



4 



