16 MADRAS FISHERIES BULLETIN VOL. XII, 



work departmentally, but as the merchants had certain claims 

 upon the allegiance of the RamSsvaram divers because of long 

 outstanding advances, I agreed to forego my plans on receiving a 

 promise to pay satisfactory rates to the divers and to cure the 

 material in a proper and cleanly manner. I am glad to report that 

 this has been done and that they have now over three tons of 

 excellently cured stuff ready to ship. The prosecution of this 

 fishery at Ramesvaram has materially assisted the chank fishery, 

 as it induced many men to continue work much longer than they 

 would otherwise have done, chanks and beche-de-mer in this 

 locality existing side by side. It is noteworthy that the beche-de- 

 mer fished by our divers at Ceylon is notably larger and heavier 

 than our best, fished in the south-west corner of Palk Bay ; all our 

 larger Indian material is really No. II grade in regard to size. 



Fishing is still proceeding actively and the good catches made 

 have proved a godsend to the divers of Tirupalagudi ; nearly 

 Rs. 1,000 has been expended in cash in the village on this item 

 alone, apart from the much larger sum received for chanks fished 

 at the same time. As nearly all the material was fished in the 

 present year, it will not be sent to Singapore for sale till September 

 when the fishing season will be ended for this year. 



31. Krusadai Island Biological Station. — Government sanctioned 

 in their Order No. 640 W., dated the 17th May 1919, the modified 

 scheme mentioned in the preceding year's report. According to 

 this new scheme the old hospital building will be converted into 

 halting quarters for the Marine Biologist, whilst a modest biological 

 laboratory and establishment quarters will be erected adjacent, at 

 a total estimated cost of Rs. 5,790. The revenue from coconuts, 

 water-supply and the lease of the right to collect cowries and other 

 shells, chanks excepted, amounted to Rs. 63-6-IO. No material 

 increase can be expected till after the completion of the station, 

 when an effort will be made to develop the agricultural resources 

 of the island. 



32. Tnticorin Fish Farm. — The greater part of the works 

 necessary to transform the Silvathurai lagoon at Tuticorin into 

 a true fish-farm has been completed, but the sea-mouth remains 

 to be closed. I do not anticipate the Public Works Department 

 will be ready to hand the works over before September. In the 

 meantime ordinary fishing is carried on vigorously. The quantity 

 of fish caught increased considerably, but the prices obtained 



