B. IHE JAPANESE B ONI TO FISHERY 



The length of time required to establish a new fishery is well illustrated by Japsmese 

 experience in attempting to exploit the bonito in the former Mandated Islands. Although 

 they were in control from 1914- on, it was not until the middle twenties that sufficient in- 

 formation had been gathered to indicate the possibilities of a large fishery, their first 

 attempts were made in the vicinity of Saipan, but because of the shortage 'of live bait the 

 results were not. encouraging. Further search showed that a much greater supply existed in 

 the Palaus and special attention was given to Uiis area. 



In the late 1920 's bait fish were also found at Truk and development here was started. 

 Realizing that some fomi of subsidy would be required to get coimaercial production started, 

 the Japanese Ministjry of Agriculture and Commerce offered special inducements to Okinawan 

 fishermen who would migrate to the new centers. These inducements were in the nature of 

 cash awards for the construction and outfitting of fishing vessels and for shore install - 

 ations. As production increased and the fishery got on a more stable oasis, a number of 

 fishermen organized cooperative fishery companies, while others operated their own vessels 

 independently. By the early 1330's operations had been extended from the original localities 

 around Palau and Truk to Ponaf^e and, to a lesser extent, to Yap and Kusaie. Because of the 

 long distances involved (approximately two thousand miles from Tokyo to the Palaus), the 

 catch was processed for export in the form of dried bonito sticks. It is interesting to 

 note that producers of this item in the Japanese homeland were not pleased to have compe- 

 tition from a new direction and at first adopted customary methods of attempting to freeze 

 out competitive products. 



The method of fishing now in use at Saipan is described below. It is similar in all 

 respects to the methods developed and used by the Okinawans. the latter sometimes obtained 

 their live bait in a different manner. Apparently the Okinawans were extremely hardy 

 fishermen, for, as soon as their catch was unloaded, they immediately refueled and left to 

 catch live bait during the night. Schools of bait fish were attracted by lights and when 

 a large school had been assembled it was led, by moving the light, to the bait net. At 

 daylight tlie necessary quantity of live bait was put into the srdp's tanks, the balance 

 remaining in the bait net until needed. The vessel then started hunting for bonito and 

 fishing began as soon as a school of fish could be brought alongside. Ordinarily the 

 Okinawans did not stay out overnight, even if no fish were caught. 



C. NATIVE BONITO IISHERY ON SAIPAN 



(June, 19/;6) 



In addition to two sampans, (Fig. 37) the facilities on Saipan consist of a dock 

 capable of handling three or four sampans and a shed where weighing, washing, and gutting 

 can be carried on. These sampans were owned by, and the operations are carried out under, 

 liilitary Government. The fishermen were paid only the regular daily vjage established by 

 Military Government and the fish were distributed free' to the native population. In view 

 of the high degree of skill siiovn by the native fishermen, it is believed that the fishery 

 could be placed entirely in their hands to be operated on a cooperative basis and the fish 

 sold. It is recommended that the vessels and their equipment either be given to the 

 natives, or appraised at only a nominal value of around f'500,00 each. 



It must be remembei^d that these Japanese sampsins were sunk at Saipan and were sub- 

 sequently re-floated and repaired. It should not be expected that the natives would bear 

 the cost of salvage and repair. Since the dock and shore facilities are essential to the 

 fishing operations, and are in a large measure of jiublic benefit, they could be leased to 

 the fisliing cooperative at some rental such as $1.00 a year, but in any case a definite 

 guarantee should be given of occupancy for a period of at least five years. Such an 

 arrangement would not only assure to the fishermen a more adequate compensation for their 

 labors, but v;ould also greatly increase, possibly double, the production of the fishery. 



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