Mote on liarine Fisheries Experiment Stati on 



If it should become possible to carry out biological studies of the fisheries in the 

 former mandated areas, it is recommended that special consideration be given to Koror as 

 a site for headquarters. Nothing but the foundations and parts of wsills remain of the 

 Japanese marine fisheries experiment station at Koror, and it is doubtful if even the 

 foundations would be of material advantage in constructing a new station. The Japanese 

 structures were of reinforced concrete and included, in addition to laboratory and office 

 space, several large outdoor tanks filled with sea water, and fairly large refrigeration 

 space ajEounting to probably 10,000 cubic feet. Attached to the station were various 

 auxiliary shops, such as machine shop, carpenter shop, and storage and repair facilities 

 for netting and other fishing equipment. 



Schools of bait fish are abundant along the shores of many of the islands in the 

 group. 



In 1939 the Japemese operated 45 motored fishing vessels of 30 to A5 feet in length 

 in the Palau district. Practically all of these were engaged in the bonito drying industry. 



3. Kayangel Island s 

 (Julv 18-19) 



There are four islands in the group, lying about 30 miles north of Babelthuap. These 

 are low islands and only the largest one is inhabited, the population being around 130 

 persons. The barrier reef is from one to four miles offshore. Ftcm a subsistence stand- 

 point these islands are much better provided for than any others in the Palau region. The 

 small population is insufficient to make any inroads on the marine resources and there was 

 no dynamiting by enemy garrisons, nor was there bombing and strafing by our forces. There 

 is no shortage of sailing or paddling outrigger canoes and breadfruit trees are available 

 for the constr«(ction of replacements. Most of the fishing is done by diving and spearing, 

 with a limited amount of trolling. There is practically no smooth bottom around the 

 islands suitable for beach seining. Cast nets are rare, due to lack of twine for knitting 

 them. The spears are made from either 1/4- inch or 3/8 inch steel rod, about 24 inches 

 long, with a double barb on the point set into a bamboo shaft from six to ten feet in 

 length. Ihese spears iloat. Due to the abundance of fish and shell fish, there is no 

 shortage of protein food. Sea cucumbers are sufficiently abundant to warrant a limited 

 production of trepang. Large trochus are abundant on the outer reef and black lip oysters 

 from foxa* to six inches in diameter are ccramon in from two to four fathoms inside the 

 barrier reef. Decorative shells, such as the cat-eye and several species of cowries, are 

 very abundant. Of the larger curio shells, the spider, helmet, and trumpet shells are 

 occasionally tjiken. Spiny lobsters are also very common. Octopi are occasionally taken 

 and greatly relished by the natives. 



Excellent catches were made, both inside and outside the reef, by trolling. Close to 

 60 poxrnds of fish were taken per hour by trolling. These were mainly crevalle from four 

 to 10 pounds in weight, wahoo from 10 to 12 pounds, and barracuda from 10 to 20 pounds in 

 weight. The natives make their own jigs, similar to the white feather jig, from the white 

 inner ptilp of the so-called "spider lily", ( Crinum asiatica ) which is quite effective. 

 The jig is illustrated in Fig. 34. It proved especially good for barracuda and for this 

 species was almost as good as our brass #6j and #7 spoons in totsil poundage taken. 



At the time of the survey there was no actual shortage of fishing gear or supplies 

 with which to maintain a subsisteilce diet. Ift order, however, that there may be no 

 shortage in the future, it is essential that supplies of steel rods 1/4 inch and 3/8 

 inch diameter should be furnished for making spears and an assortment of hooks, swivels, 

 leader wire, and seine twine for making throw nets, aind larger size of cotton twine for 

 hand lines; brass and silvered spoons of #6j and #7 sizes, preferably of the types known 

 as "Diamond" and "UcMahon" . A small assortment of these items could be sent to the trade 

 store for use as required in replacements. 



48 



