No. I (1920) ADMINISTRATION REPORT, I918-TO. II 



Ceylon this year because of the lowness of the Calcutta market, 

 except on terms much less favourable than usual to the divers ; 

 in view of the high prices of foodstuffs in Ceylon, the divers could 

 not accept any reduction in terms. So an adequate diving force 

 for our local needs was obtained without difficulty. A number of 

 the Kilakarai men have abandoned chank fishing this year in 

 favour of ordinary fishing and others have emigrated to the 

 Straits ; had these men joined the fishery the catches of shells at 

 Rameswaram would have been considerably higher. The fishery 

 was favoured with good weather and lasted for a period of 65 days, 

 from 27th February to 2nd May, without interruption from any 

 cause. The diving force numbered 400, manning 43 canoes ; of 

 these approximately 300 were from Kilakarai and the vicinity. 

 The total number of undersized shells brought ashore was 27,263, 

 of which 17,029 were returned alive to the sea. It continues to be 

 difficult to prevent an undue quantity of these shells being fished, 

 and this is a matter where tact and firmness in the subordinate 

 staff are essential. 



20. As last year, the steam launch Eider was chartered for the 

 busy period of the season, from 5th March to 10th April. The cost 

 amounted to Rs. 4,214-4-7 as against Rs. 3,000 last year. Increase 

 in the prices of coal and supplies and a rather longer period of 

 employment, account for the increase. In the latter period of the 

 fishery when the number of canoes decreased, the launch Leverett 

 brought from the West Coast for the purpose, took over this work, 

 and enabled us to dispense with the employment of the Eider, 

 so effecting a large economy. Without efficient towage, this 

 fishery cannot be run satisfactorily. 



21. From the experience gained during the past four years, it is 

 clear that 200,000 shells may be taken as the normal annual yield to 

 be expected from the Rameswaram beds ; if considerably more be 

 fished, there is likely to be a diminished catch in the following 

 year and thereby an inducement to the divers to insist on a relaxa- 

 tion of the minimum size limit in order to make good the deficiency 

 in full-sized shells. We may therefore base our estimates in future 

 regularly upon a two-lakh catch at this centre. 



22. The North Vedalai or Pillaimadam section continues to 

 develop most satisfactorily, beds not fished for a number of years 

 being now given increasing attention by the divers. This is due 

 directly to the increase given in the rate for the fine quality shells 



