No. I (1920) ADMINISTRATION REPORT, 1918-19 7 



the crews from West Coast. Even with this extra deduction a 

 final net loss of Rs. 24I-H-6 has to be faced. Hence I am afraid 

 that the results are not sufficiently encouraging to induce local 

 men to change their methods. 



The exposed and surf-beaten nature of the Coromandel Coast 

 makes improvements in fishery methods extremely difficult, and 

 except at harbours such as Madras, Negapatam, Cocanada and 

 a few other places, we cannot hope to replace the catamaran by any 

 better type of sea-craft. At Tuticorin and Negapatam, I hope 

 soon to start experiments having for their object the introduction 

 of larger and more efficient fishing craft, such as the fine balance- 

 board boats of Tirupalagudi and the roomy weatherly fishing type 

 used on the Bombay coast. Experiments in long-lining are even 

 now in progress at Tuticorin and these will be reported upon in 

 due course next year. 



Marine Section. 



12. This section was wholly in my charge for the first eight 

 months of the year ; thereafter the Marine Assistant took over the 

 departmental fisheries and the care of the department's fleet. The 

 duties come under the following sub-heads : — 



Chank and pearl fisheries, the beche-de-mer industry, the 

 marine fish-farm, the oyster park at Pulicat, the marine aquarium 

 at Madras, zoological supply to colleges, research and miscel- 

 laneous. 



13. Departmental Fisheries. — These, which include the chank, 

 pearl and beche-de-mer fisheries, proceeded normally so far as the 

 first and last are concerned. " The second proved again wholly 

 unproductive, neither adult pearl oysters nor spat being found 

 anywhere on the banks. The chank fishery was specially 

 remunerative partly because of increased catches, but chiefly by 

 reason of the increased rate (Rs. 325 per 1,000) received under the 

 new contract for the Tinnevelly shells. The total catch of chank 

 shells was 435,262 shells as compared with 391,137 in the previous 

 year, while that of beche-de-mer was 208,610 against 58,927 in 

 1917-18. During the year all the chank fisheries usually rented 

 out, were re-leased to the highest tenderer in each case, satisfactory 

 rates in all instances being obtained, notably so in that of the 

 Chingleput and Nellore fisheries which are now leased for three 



