MADRAS FISHERIES BULLETIN 



VOL. XII, 



(Jadhi grade) fished here ; this has rendered it remunerative to the 

 local men to fish the neglected beds situated a greater distance 

 from Vedalai, and has also, during the past year, induced a number 

 of Kilakarai men to fish at Vedalai instead of going to Ceylon 

 towards the close of the Rameswaram fishery. The increase in the 

 catch of jadhi nndpatti qualities together is 16,350 over 1917-18, viz., 

 42,611 as against 26,261, a most notable rise. The Vedalai men at 

 present are the divers most contented and most regular in work. 



The Kilakarai catches were normal, but those at Tirupalagudi 

 again showed a decrease. The shells fished at the latter place 

 are the poorest quality of any fished departmentally and at present 

 are difficult to sell in Bengal, where the adverse economic con- 

 ditions among the lower classes make the purchase of chank 

 bangles a luxury that has in many cases to be postponed till 

 normal conditions return. Hence the weakness of the market for 

 poor quality shells. I believe there are very large accumulations 

 of such shells in Ceylon, practically unsaleable. No Valampuri 

 (sinistral) shells were fished at any centre during the past year. 



23. Sivaganga Chank Fishery. — The lease of this fishery having 

 expired on 30th June IQl8, a new agreement was concluded with 

 the Sivaganga Estate, whereby the Madras Government lease the 

 fishery for a term of five years for an annual rental of Rs. 120. 

 The yield of the fishery was 2,266 shells only, distributed as 

 follows : — 



The expenses, including rental, amounted to Rs. 242-I-O, 

 whereas the value of the shells is Rs. 342-2-8, yielding a net profit 

 of Rs. I00-I-8. 



The fishery is a poor one, the beds being very scattered and 

 difficult to fish as well as poor in yield. Few divers live in the 

 Sivaganga villages, most of them having abandoned chank fishery 

 in favour of net-fishing for fish and crabs on account of the poor 

 yield of the chank fishery. The chief reason for controlling and 

 working the fishery is to prevent persons using the Sivaganga 



