756 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
RAROIA ATOLL. 
On the afternoon of the 16th the A/batross coasted off this atoll. 
There are a number of boat passages leading into the lagoon, but no 
channel large enough for a ship. The atoll is fast breaking up, and in 
many places the sea has cut through the reef and worn away portions 
of the islands. The main village is on the eastern end of the island. 
Several canoes and sailboats were noticed in the lagoon, and many nets 
were drying on racks. So far as could be observed from the ship, 
the beaches seemed to be better suited for operating a seine than at 
most atolls. The number of nets noticed indicated this to be the case. 
The rim of the atoll being considerably broken forms numerous 
channels through which fish can pass. Every feature of the lagoon 
and surrounding reefs pointed to its being a prolific fishing-ground. 
MAKEMO. 
From October 19 until the 25th the A/datross lay at anchor in Makemo 
Lagoon, during which time fishing and collecting was carried on each 
day. Near the passage leading into the lagoon, on the starboard side, 
is a reef about 1,800 feet long by 200 feet wide. The reef is awash at 
high water, and at times is a favorite fishing-ground. On the ‘south- 
east side the reef makes off quite steep; on the northwest side with a 
gentle slope.® On the reef were three fish-traps, built on the same gen- 
eral plan as those observed at other islands. 
Most of the people were away engaged in the pearl fishery at 
Hikueru, and what reef fishing was done was by womenand boys. We 
saw an exhibition of patience on the part of an old man seated on the 
top of a coral stone wharf engaged in enticing a fish from its hiding- 
place. The water was surging in and out through the crevices formed 
by the irregular shape of the coral rock. In one hand the man held a 
short stick, to which a piece of bait was tied; in the other hand he 
held a short gaff. Occasionally the fish would make a sudden dart at 
the tempting bait, usually getting a small piece, but always quick 
enough to escape the gaff. The man remained at his post nearly four 
hours before capturing the fish. 
A lobster pot baited with fish and meat failed to catch anything. In 
the evening an occasional fish would be caught with hook and line 
from over the ship’s side, but taken as a whole this method was not a 
success, only four fish being taken; one was said by the natives to be 
good; the others were pronounced poisonous. Hand-line fishing was 
varried on each day, but few fish were caught, with little variation in 
the species. They ranged in length from 8 to 22 inches. Specimens 
were saved. 
Collecting with seine was carried on, but not always with encour- 
aging results. In 50 trials 44 fish were caught, many of which had 
not before been taken by us. The result shows a great deal of work 
