THE PRECIOUS CORAL INDUSTRY 143 



tion to the Gulf of Gabes in the region of Sfax. The coral fisheries are carried on 

 at 6 or even 8 miles from shore and at depths between 90 and 900 feet. It has 

 been found that coral taken from considerable depths is paler and less lustrous 

 than that from lesser depths. In these regions the fisheries have been carried 

 on for centuries. In former times the assembling place was the island of Tabarca. 

 Even today this island and the island of Galita are still frequented by coral fisher- 

 men; but the most important station is the coast town La Calle, where much has 

 been done by the French Government to further the industry. Other centers 

 are situated on Cap de Garde and Cap de Fer and at Sidi Mansur, opposite the 

 Kerkennah Islands in the Gulf of Gabes. 



There are coral banks, rivalling those of Algeria and Tunis, on the coast of 

 Sicily. The most productive for the past 50 years have been located near Sciacca, 

 west of Girgenti. Their average depth is about 650 feet. A curious characteristic 

 of these banks is that all the coral polyps are dead and, as a result, many of the 

 corals have lost their fine red color. 



Coral is also found off the small islands north of Sicily, Ustica and the Lipari; 

 but a more important coral fishery is in the Strait of Messina. However, the chief 

 center of coral production, after the North African Coast, is located off the 

 western side of Sardinia and Corsica. The richest field is the Strait of Bonifacio 

 between the two islands. 



Off Jedda in the Red Sea there is a black coral fishery extending for 50 miles 

 north and south. This black coral is carved into beads and mouthpieces for cigar 

 holders. As the dull white coral is less hard than the black and does not take a 

 good polish, it is sold cheaper. 



Japanese Fisheries. Although the Japanese coral fisheries have not been worked 

 since the beginning of World War II, they are the most important in the world. 

 The four main Japanese coral-fishing grounds are: (1) The southern sea areas 

 immediately around Imoto-Jima in the Central Bonins and Tori-shima in the 

 northern Bonins. (2) The sea areas off Kochi Prefecture, Shikoku. (3) The sea 

 areas around Danjo Island, west of Kago-shima Prefecture, Kyushu. (4) The 

 sea areas immediately around the Pescadores, west of Formosa. 



American Fisheries. Recently a large amount of rare violet coral has been 

 discovered a few miles off the coast of Southern Calffornia. As this coral is in 

 deep water where there are currents, its collection by divers is rather hazardous. 

 It is more comparable to precious coral than to the cheap, dyed variety, such as 

 that exported from the Philippine Islands. However, the development of the 

 industry in California has been retarded by lack of trained coral engravers. 



Methods of Fishing 



Mediterranean Methods. The coral fishery is usually carried on during the 6 

 months of spring and summer although in some regions it continues throughout 

 the year. The boats used may collect from 600 to 650 pounds of coral in a season. 

 Solidly constructed and seaworthy, they commonly range in size from 6 to 16 tons 

 and are manned by a crew of 6 to 12. Most of the boats are owned by Italians and 

 bear the product to Messina, Genoa, Leghorn, and Naples, where it is bought 

 by carvers and jewelers. A certain number of smaller boats, of from only 3 to 6 

 tons, sail under the French flag; but the crews are almost entirely composed of 

 Italians. These boats remain busy the greater part of the year. 



