210 THE NATURALIST IN AUSTRALIA. 



In the earlier days the Shark's Bay shell was collected exclusively on account 

 of the pearls that were obtained from them, the shells having no market value. 

 More recently the shells, though relatively small and thin, have been extensively 

 utilised for the manufacture of the smaller and poorer descriptions of pearl buttons 

 and other ornaments, and if of the best quality have realised from 40 or 50 to 

 65 per ton. 



The fishery for this shell is conducted on an entirely distinct system from that 

 applied to the large tropical type. As it grows thickly, much after the manner of 

 ordinary oysters, on shallow banks or over large areas of the sea bottom, it is 

 either gathered by the hand at low spring tides from what are designated the 

 " Pick-up banks " or is taken with sailing craft and oyster dredges from the deeper 

 water, one cutter often working as many as from four to six dredges simultaneously. 

 As the result of reckless dredging and the indiscriminate destruction of every descrip- 

 tion of shell, young and old, in former times for the acquisition of the pearls they 

 might contain, the Shark's Bay fishery was about three years since depleted almost 

 to the verge of annihilation. 



One of the principal missions delegated to the writer by the Western Australian 

 Government about that time was the investigation of this fishery and the possible 

 prescription of some remedial measures. These were submitted and adopted in the 

 form of the restriction of the fishery to the taking for sale of mature shell only, the 

 closing of overworked banks until such time as they had recovered sufficiently to 

 permit of moderate but not exhaustive fishing, and more particularly the encourage- 

 ment of the establishment of systematically cultivated private fisheries, as represented 

 by the leasing by the Government of banks of varying dimensions to private individuals. 

 Notwithstanding the circumstance that some years must necessarily elapse before this 

 fishery recovers its former prosperity, the measures adopted have already begun to 

 yield highly satisfactory results. Many of the more important banks are fast becoming 

 restocked with shell; the facilities for leasing areas for cultivation have been 

 extensively utilised; and, as a consequence of the restrictions placed upon the age 

 and condition of the shell taken, a marked improvement in the quality of the exported 

 article has ensued. 



A fair idea of the general aspect and appointments of a Shark's Bay Pearl- 

 shelling Station is afforded by Plate XXXVII., which contains two views taken by the 

 writer at the principal settlement in the Bay known as Fresh Water Camp. A most 

 delusive title! Galvanised iron, drifting sand-dunes, a torrid sun, and odours of 



