1 16 



MADRAS FISHERIES BULLETIN 



VOL. XII, 



sanction was obtained from the Government by G.O. Mis. No. 1477, 

 Revenue, dated 24th May 1917, to conduct an Inshore Fishing- 

 Experiment with the Madras Harbour as its base, with a view 

 (1) " to test the catching capacity of,West Coast boats and nets as 

 against the fishing capacity of the local catamaran " and (2) " if 

 successful to introduce them among the Madras fisher-folk." 



It was with considerable misgivings the experiment was com- 

 menced in June 1917 and continued till the close of May 1918. 

 The results were not conclusive, so in order to give further oppor- 

 tunity to test the value of the new methods sanction was obtained 

 (G.O. No. 3387, Revenue, dated 5th October 1918) to continue and 

 extend the operations for a further period of 2^ years. Accord- 

 ingly it was recommenced on the 16th December 1918 with four 

 canoes (two small and two large) having a complement of 22 men 

 as crew. 



The following nets and lines were tried during the year 



1919:— 



Nets .— 



1. Paithu Vala. 1 



2. Vakku Vala. J 



3. Sulthan Vala 



4. Kolli Vala ... 



. Chala Vala. 



6. Oilu Vala 



and Kandadi 

 Vala. 



7. Veechu Vala. 



Or Odam Vala. 



Gill-net ... 

 Drift-nets 



Cast-net 



(A large boat seine 

 operated from two 

 big canoes.) 



(Operated from two 



small canoes.) 

 (Operated from two 



big canoes.) 

 (Operated from one to 



four small canoes.) 

 (Operated from small 



canoes.) 



(Operated from one 

 small canoe or from 

 shore.) 



Lines : — 



8. Cheria Vep- Long-line with 



pu. 1,000 hooks. 



9. SravuVeppu. Long-line with 1 (Operated from one 



big shark small canoe.) 



hooks. 

 10. Kai Chundai. Hand-line 



