lobsters (Fig. 27) are abundant. Even so, the total catch of fish is well below require- 

 ments. So anxious were the fisherjnen for an opportunity to go to outer reefs that we 

 always had more volunteers than could be used. Usually we took from 11 to 1/i native 

 fishermen with us. All of them had their own spears and goggles. In addition, each man 

 carried a small purse-like basket woven of coconut fronds, and a piece of string or wire 

 on wnich to string his fish. In the course of two hours of fishing on the outer reef the 

 average catch per fisherman was around 25 pounds of fish and frcm two to ten pounds of 

 shell fish (Fig. 28). 



None of the fishes in the Palaus is regarded as poisonous, although several are not 

 eaten because of taboos. Hence, most species contribute to the native diet. On the reefs 

 the more important species are groupers, snappers, parrot fish, wrasse (Fig. 29) damsel 

 fish, and goat-fish. The most important shell fish is the gismt clam ( Tridacna ) . Smaller 

 sizes of these giant clams up to 12 inches are abundant. Ihere are also a few of the 

 larger ones up to 36 inches (Fig. 2U) . The information is to the effect that the Japanese 

 shipped back to Japan approximately 1,000 pairs of shells fro.-a the larger size tridacna 

 and these were found to be comparatively scarce. The natives do not bring in the shells, 

 but sever the adductor muscle of the clam in its position on the bottom and simply extract 

 and bring in the meat. 



Trochus shells from three to five inches in diameter at the base are abundant as are 

 the rough cat-eyes. Black lip pearl oysters were rather scarce. However, the native 

 divers usually do not go below two fathoms and very few of them will go beyond four 

 fathcaos. There can be little doubt but that a large spawning reserve of both fish and 

 shell fish exists below the four fathom mark. 



Trolling also yielded good results. We always had a large white feather jig with a 

 Sobey #11 hook and a brass #6j or #7 spoon behind the boat while we were under way. The 

 spoon caught approximately three fish to each one caught by the feather jig. The com- 

 bined catch for 'both feather and spoon ranged from 10 to 25 pounds of fish per hour. The 

 main species taken were crevalle, barracuda, bonito, and occasionally a snapper or grouper 

 (Fig. 30). The crevalle, snapper, and grouper weighed from four to eight pounds; the 

 bonito frcM five to ten pounds, and the bsirracuda from six to 25 pouricls. All of this 

 trolling was done inside the barrier reef. 



Excluding the offshore fisheries, the development of which requires outside capital 

 and shore facilities, there remain several local sources of income which can be developed 

 immediately and without the necessity for outside financing. These include trochus, tre- 

 pang, black lip pearl shells, giant clam shells, other decorative and curio shells, and 

 possibly the culture of pearls. 



A start has already been made in collecting and preparing trochus shells for market- 

 ing to pearl button manufacturers. Several thousand shells were collected during the 

 present season, which, due to the special situation existing, ended on August 31. Normal- 

 ly, the pr«-war regulations should be in effect, which required the taking of these shell 

 fish only during the months of May and June, and usually only for a two-week period in one 

 or the other of these months. The Palau chiefs have declared the Japanese regulations to 

 be in force, but no supporting action has been taken by Military Government. The trochus 

 is a large marine shell, reaching a width at the base of approximately six inches and a 

 maximum height of five inches (Fig. A6). These animals are usvially found on the sides and 

 roofs, or in crevices, of the caverns at the outer edge of the barrier reefs, in depths 

 ranging from one to three fathoms. In preparation for market, a part of the animal is 

 removed v.lth a small hook and the shells are then buried in dry sand for a period of a 

 month or so, or may be left in sea water for a week or so until, in the former case, ants 

 have eaten the remaining meat portion from the shell, or, in the latter case, decomposition 

 has softened it 30 that it can be removed. The shells are then dried and a layer of encriBt- 

 ing coral vtiich covers all of the shell is carefully knocked off. On most of the shells the 



42 



