9 



33. By the end of 1907 the beds were found so extremely depleted that 

 Mr. H. C. Mules, Collector of Karachi, became convinced of the complete 

 failure of the measures adopted since 1896 to prevent the exhaustion of the 

 oyster beds along the Sind Coast. 



34. In a letter to the Commissioner in Sind of 30th January 1908, he 

 pointed out that the measures hitherto adopted had been : 



(a) The observance of a close season from 15th April to 1st October 

 each year, during which the removal of oysters is prohibited. 



(6) The licensing of fishermen engaged collecting oysters for the 

 market. 



(<?) Prohibition of the removal of oysters less than 2 inches and more 

 than 6 inches in length. 



(d) Closure of the creeks by compartments to oyster-fishing in 

 addition to the annual fallow period, a two-years rotation being adopted. 



(e] The preservation of the Vad creek as a preserve for experimental 

 culture. 



He remarked that the almost total disappearance of edible oysters from 

 localities which previously furnished them in abundance had been attributed to 

 reckless destruction by the oyster fishers and it was considered that the above 

 listed regulations would prove an efficient remedy. 



In conclusion he wrote : " These measures have been in full operation 

 now for five years but the supply of the bivalve has continued to diminish and 

 the beds are practically exhausted. The supply is not now sufficient to meet 

 the local demand." 



35. In view of the obvious deterioration of the beds, he recommended 

 inspection by an expert with a view to initiate really effective methods for the 

 preservation and increased production of the beds, and he added, "unless such 

 a survey is carried out, it is certain that the edible Sind oyster will in a few- 

 years be non-existent." 



36. In consequence of the local importance of the industry, I was honoured 

 with a request to undertake this duty, and with the permission of the Govern- 

 ment of Madras I carried it through during October and November 1909, as 

 detailed in the following section of this report. 



37. Before referring briefly to the culture experiments in Karachi back- 

 water, I give here a tabulation of the produce of the various beds, as shown by 

 the imports into Karachi, since 1896 when statistics first become available. 



Statement showing the number of oysters imported into Karachi 

 from 8th December 1896 to 29th January 1908. 



38. These statistics furnished by the courtesy of Commander Hewett, 

 Port Officer, Karachi, show very plainly the great falling off in the produce of 

 the combined Sind beds since that time of prosperity prior to 1895 when we 

 B 6953 



