So. 3 (191 7) 



TUTICORIN FISHING INDUSTRY 



83 



About twelve boats are employed in this fishery which is in full 

 swing from the beginning of September till the middle of February 

 when it begins rapidly to diminish. From April to July inclusive 

 the fishery is unproductive, with March and August both very 

 poor months. 



During the season about twelve boats are employed. Each runs 

 to a length of from 17 to 18 feet, and carries a fleet of 8 to 9 nets, 

 measuring (each) 13 to 14 fathoms in length by 3^ to 4 fathoms 

 deep. The mesh is ^ inch from knot to knot and is made of No. 14 

 cotton. The nets are never barked. The crew of each boat consists 

 of three or four men. 



^fiii^^^^^l^^^^^^^q 



Fig. 7. — Indian Anchovy (Engraulis dussumieri). x if 



Value in rupees. 



1,350 

 1,618 



3,828 

 1,834 

 2,157 



The catches for the four years 1911 — 15 amounted to the follow- 

 ing (juantities, valued as shown, viz. : — 



Year, 



October 191 1 to September 191 2 

 October 191 2 to September 191 3 

 October 1913 to September 19 14 

 October 1914 to September 1915 

 Average per annum 

 The distribution of the catch throughout the year averaged 

 as follows, the figures being based on four years' statistics, 

 1911— 15:— 



Month. Weight. 



LB. 



October ... ... 8,540 



November ... ... 4,662 



December ... ... 1,497 



January ... ... 8,808 



February ... ... 3,543 



March ... ... 1,297 



Total for north-east 28,347 



monsoon period. 



13 



