l88 MADRAS FISHERIES BULLETIN VOL. XI, 



However with the return of normal conditions in the world, a consi- 

 derable profit should then be earned. 



19. A report upon the revival of this industry with full details of the 

 methods of cure practised was issued as a constitutent report in Bulletin 

 No. XI during the past year. A general review of the trade was appended. 

 This publication should prove very useful to any one engaging in this 

 industry and Mr. Alvain Scule, lately head of the Fisheries Department in 

 the PhiUppine Islands, writes that he considers this report as one of the 

 most valuable as well as one of the most interesting contributions to our 

 knowledge of the trepang fisheries that has ever been written. 



20. Pearl fishery.' — Inspection has again been made of the banks off 

 the Tinnevelly coast and again no pearl oysters, save a few scattered ones 

 have been found. In addition a careful inspection of the ground outside 

 of the chain of islands stretching from Pamban to Vaippar was made in 

 November 1 91 7 with the aid of the motor inspection schooner "Lady 

 Nicholson." The result again was negative, no deposits of any kind being 

 found. This same inspection was also useful in settling once for all, the 

 question of whether there be any fishable beds of chanks sea ward of these 

 islands. None were found. The ground generally is a rocky plateau with 

 scanty life outside of sea-fans (Gorgonids), sea-whips {Juncea) and non- 

 commercial sponges. Hence we may conclude that there is no possibility 

 of extending the chank fishery to new grounds anywhere off the southern 

 coast of the Ramnad district. 



21. The small bed of scattered pearl oysters, on the seaward eastern 

 ed«^e of the chank beds north of Rameswaram Island still survives and 

 eives off its periodical sworms. Some of these appear to have settled on 

 the Dhanushkodi jetties, as a number were found by the contractor when 

 demolishing the South pier there. By the courtesy of the Port Officer, 

 Pamban these were forwarded to me for examination. They proved to be 

 from nine months to 18 months of age, and some appear to have contained 

 a few seed pearls. 



22. The scheme to erect a pearl-culture laboratory on Krusadai Islands 

 is still in abeyance in view of the heavy cost involved and the poor market 

 at present for culture pearls. A modified scheme is under consideration, 



23. Tuticor'm fish farm. — The results during the past year are again an 



improvement upon previous years. The total expenditure consisted of 



Rs. 684-6-7 made up as follows : — 



RS. A. p. 



Wages 566 9 I 



Nets and sundries ii7 13 6 



684 67 



