Table 27. --Fishing conditions in waters off New 

 Guinea (Banda Sea side) 



Table 28. --Fishing conditions in waters off New 

 Guinea and the Solomon Islands 

 (Pacific Ocean side) 



As tables 27 and 28 show, there are conspicuous differences between the catch rates 

 in the two areas. And not only can differences in the fishing conditions be detected, but there 

 are also conspicuous differences in the composition of the catch. 



The Banda Sea catch rates are rennarkably high, and the composition of the catch is 

 similar to that of the Banda Sea and the Flores Sea already described (see table 18). On the 

 Pacific Ocean side the catch rates are low and yellowfin are scarce while the spearfishes are 

 much more numerous. There is also a marked increase in the number of sharks on the Pacific 

 Ocean side. 



The fishing situation in the waters adjacent to the Solomon Islands shows a tendency 

 for a decline in the number of yellowfin in the catch as one goes south from the vicinity of the 

 Equator. This trend is just like that which can be seen in the northern hemisphere. It appears 

 that there is also a tendency for the catch of sharks and spearfishes to increase as the opera- 

 tions come closer to islands. Considered seasonally, it appears that fishing is somewhat poorer 

 during the northwester lies than during the season of southeasterly winds, but it is difficult to 

 make a thorough-going comparison because of the paucity of data. 



Before the war vessels based at Misaki were crossing the Equator to fish as far away 

 as the north coastal waters of New Guinea. During the war, just as in other areas, a large 

 number of vessels appear to have been active in this region with the object of supplying the 

 military forces, but no data remain from these operations. At present no boats from Japan are 

 fishing in the area and as the tuna fishery is completely undeveloped in these islands, it is be- 

 lieved that these waters are being completely neglected as fishing grounds. Seasonal variations 

 in the fishing situation are as yet not well known, but it is thought that there is ample possibility 

 that this sea area can afford superior fishing grounds at some seasons. 



65 



