However, we heard that around the entrance to Jabor Pass at Jaluit 

 atoll 100 fathoms is the best depth for catching tuna, and from this we 

 judge that perhaps somewhat greater depths than we have been fishing 

 would be more suitable. In other respects our observations are roughly 

 the same as last year's. 



Results 



As described above, this Marshall Islands fishery investigation con- 

 sisted of only two expeditions, however, the results we have obtained 

 indicate that tuna are abundant throughout the area and that many occur 

 in the waters near the coasts of the islands. 



Natives and resident Japanese generally say that the fishing season 

 is during the northeast trades, but some say that it is during the calm 

 season. 



It is difficult to affirm either of these theories;, but at any rate 

 there are evidence that fish are abundant throughout the four seasons and 

 that they are taken at all times. 



More spearfish and big-eye were taken in the Ralik chain, while more 

 yellowfin were taken in the Ratal: chain. It would be premature to make 

 any generalizations from this on the distribution of fishes in the two 

 chains of islands, however, it appears that in both groups the density 

 of the fish population is greater in the northern than in the southern 

 part. It can be said that oceanographic conditions are generally 

 identical in the two chains. 



The sparsely scattered distribution of the schools throughout the 

 archipelago seems to reflect a condition which is common everywhere in 

 the South Seas. 



Baitfish are fairly abundant around the shores of all the islands 

 and are easily taken, a circumstance which favors the fishery. 



Now that the promising prospects of the Marshall Islands tuna fishery 

 have been recognized, as outlined above, it is essential that further 

 studies be carried out to select the best fishing grounds and provide 

 guidance for the development of the fishing industry in the islands. 



17 



