S828 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
GUAM 
On the morning of February 21 we sighted Guam, approaching it 
from the southern side. Ata distance this part of the island ‘has the- 
appearance of the southern coast of California. The interior portion 
is similar to Makatea, in the Paumotu group, it having a mesa sur- 
rounded by perpendicular cliffs. The shore line on the south and east 
side is fringed with narrow, sandy patches, with an occasional out- 
cropping of coral rock. Passing around the northern end of the island, 
down the west shore in sight of Agana, gave an excellent view of the 
coast. Early in the afternoon the ship came to anchor in the harbor 
of San Luis d’Apara. 
In all parts of the harbor the beaches are extremely rough and 
ragged. At low tide reefs covering large areas are exposed, on which 
are numerous pools and channels where the natives fish with spears, 

Double Fish-trap, Guam. 
mostly at night. As observed at most places, reef fishing here at 
night is carried on by the aid of torches. 
The people of Guam do not engage in fishing as much as most 
natives in the islands of the Pacific. They are given more to tilling 
the soil, and fishing seems to be a secondary consideration. 
Many of the inhabitants of San Luis d’Apara living near the shore 
have fish-traps extending out from the beach in front of their houses. 
The traps are of two kinds—double and single pocket. The pocket of 
the single trap is about 60 feet in diameter, with two wings 150 feet 
each, and a lead of 200 feet. The pockets of the double trap are built 
60 feet apart and connected by a bamboo fence. From each pocket is a 
wing varying in length from 100 to 400 feet, according to the location 
of the trap. The leads vary from 200 to 300 feet. 
In constructing traps, bamboo is wholly used. Poles are driven 
into the sand and coral, placed 4 feet apart, and around them is woven, 
basket fashion, strips of bamboo twisted into a rope. 
