REPORT ON THE PEARL OYSTER FISHERIES 

 OF THE GULF OF MANAAR. -PART III. 



THE PEARL FISHERY OF 1904. 



[Based on a Manuscript Report and Letters from Mr. JAMES HORNELL, /'. LS.. 

 Marine Biologist and Inspector of Pearl Banks.] 



SINCE this present investigation was commenced in the spring of 1902, the 

 Government of Ceylon, after an interval of eleven barren years, has held two most 

 successful pearl fisheries the last of which, that in the spring of 1904, yielded 

 over forty-one millions of oysters, and established a record from having given receipts 

 amounting to well over a million of rupees. This is, however, by no means the whole 

 of the value of the fishery, since the divers carry off as their share one-third of the 

 spoil, and the benefits conferred directly and indirectly upon thousands of attendants 

 and traders may be said to affect the prosperity of a large district. But, dealing 

 only with nett proceeds, these two last fisheries combined have brought in to the 

 Government of Ceylon considerably over 100,000. The prospects for another good 

 fishery in the spring of 1905 are now excellent, and the adult oysters at present 

 known to us on various parts of the Cheval Paar ought, if no unforeseen calamity 

 occurs, to yield fisheries in 1906 and 1907. If cultching of the barren parts of the 

 Cheval Paar and transplantation of young oysters from the Periya Paar, as recom- 

 mended in the earlier parts of this Report, be carried on with vigour there is every 

 reason to believe that still other fisheries will follow. Spat may fall naturally upon 

 suitable ground at any time, or it may be prevented from so falling, for a series of 

 years, by natural causes beyond the control of man. It cannot be trusted to come 

 when and where it is wanted and we must not depend upon it.* But if a continuity 

 of profitable fisheries, or even a fairly constant succession, can be ensured by the 



* Since the above was written, Mr. HORNELL'S report on the November inspection shows that a fall of 

 spat has taken place on the Cheval Paar ; but I leave my words unaltered, as I believe them to be generally 

 applicable, and their truth is not affected by this unexpected, somewhat exceptional, but very welcome, 

 occurrence. W. A. H., January 2nd, 1905. 



B 



