main categories, the first consisting of what may be called day to day, or subsistence 

 fishing, mainly carried on inside the barrier reefsj iriiile the second is offshore, or 

 commercial fishing, of a magnitude much greater than required for the support of the local 

 population. For its full development, this type of fishing demands an investment in ves- 

 sels, equipment, and shore facilities far beyond the means of the natives to provide, 

 consequently less time was devoted to it during the survey. Emphasis has been placed on 

 describing local conditions at each island visited, the most abundant kinds of sea-food 

 and sea-products present, the boats and fishing gear owned, and the mehtods used in sub- 

 sistence fishing. Shortages in food, equipment and supplies have been noted with recom- 

 mendations. Sxiggestions have been made for conservation measures as seemed to be required 

 in the light of present knowledge. 



Field work extended over the period May 2-August 31, 19^6. Unless otherwise indicated, 

 all dates or references to time should be understood to fall within the above limits. 



An LCI (Landing Craft Infantry No. 983) was made available by the Navy for transpor- 

 tation of the Survey party, and this was used between Pearl Harbor and Truk, via Eniwetok, 

 on the outgoing trip, and inbound from Truk to Kwajalein, via Kapingamarangi, Nukuoro, 

 Ponape, Kusaie, Jaluit, Ailinglaplap, liajuro and Likiep. Elsewhere, travel was by Naval 

 Air Transport Service, Points reached, and dates of arrival and departure, are shown on 

 the general map facing page 1. In the Field Survey section, locsLI charts are marked to 

 show the localities examined and fishing methods used. 



Since much of the travel between islands and island groups was by plane, fishing 

 equipment was limited to hand lines, feather lures, spoons, spears and throw-nets, with a 

 total weight of 80 pounds. This gear was satisfactory, as the natives had seines for use 

 at the relatively few places such fishing was possible. 



At each point visited, information on the fisheries was collected in two ways: by 

 interviews with fishermen, chiefs, scribes, and any other persons having a knowledge of 

 local conditions, past and presentj and by examination of as many fishing localities as 

 time permitted. Where stops were of only two days duration, one was spent ashore holding 

 conferences and examining lishing gear, v/hile the other v;as devoted to fishing. 



Btirrier and fringing reefs on the seaward side, and reefs on the lagoon side of 

 islands were examined by diving; on shallow flats, throw-nets and hand picking were used; 

 battle lanterns were used under water at night for examining both reefs and flats in depths 

 not over two fathoms; trolling was done in lagoons, passes, and just outside the breakers 

 of barrier and fringing reefs. Locsil transportation usually was by out-rigger canoe, vdth 

 fishermen as guides and assistants. 



Additional information was obtained from the area economists of the survey, who made 

 intensive studies of limited portions of the ex-r.ianaate . 



Because of the extensive collections of Hiarine organisms already made by Operation 

 Crossroads, and others, museum collecting was omitted from the agenda of this survey, but 

 it could not have been done anyway without curtailing more important phases of the program. 

 An unsuccessful attempt was made to bring back seme specimens in a home-type quick freezer. 



