23 



is very common, but not so valuable, as the blubber is very 

 thin ; it also grows to a large size. The small Rorqual known 

 to the Twofold Bay men as "Grampus." is not uncommon. 

 It attains a length, exceptionally, of 30 feet. 



The following statistics in regard to the whaling at Twofold 

 Bay during the last six years have been collected by the local 

 Inspector of Fisheries : — 



In the year 1905, 17 cwt. of whalebone was sent to Lewis 

 and Peat, of London, where it realised £1,200. 



Dolphins. — In addition to the whaling, there is at the 

 present time a small industry in connection with the capture 

 of our common Porpoise, or Dolphin. The Dolphin- 

 fishing is carried out somewhat spasmodically by two or 

 three crews only, and in the vicinity of Port Jackson and 

 Botany Bay. Practically the sole object of the fishery just 

 now is the obtaining of the numerous conical teeth (of which 

 a full set consists of about 160). These teeth are purchased 

 by various firms having business with the Solomon Islands, 

 and some others of the Pacific Islands, as well as parts of 

 Papua, where — strange to say — they are regularly used as 

 currency. At present the demand for these teeth is much 

 greater than the supply forthcoming, notwithstanding the 

 abundance of these Cetaceans, and the ease with which they 

 are captured. While this demand lasts there is very evidently 

 a great opportunity for a great increase in the Dolphin-fishery, 

 apart from the return to be obtained from the skins, oil, as 

 well as from fertiliser obtained from the carcases. The price 

 paid by island firms for Porpoise teeth, as they are called, ranges 

 from 8s. to 9s. per 100. One party of fishermen, operating 

 from Botany Bay, obtained in a few months, and sold in two 

 lots no less than 16,000 of these teeth. During the same 

 period they pursued their ordinary calling as fishermen. 



