NOTES ON FISHING METHODS OF THE SOUTH SEAS. (91 
the former taking 4 fish (2 species) the latter nothing. A trammel 
net set in 12 fathoms of water, not far from our anchorage, was down 
three days; it was ‘*under run” each morning, but failed to catch 
anything. 
No great amount of shore collecting was done in the immediate 
vicinity of Suva. The seines were operated in a number of places near 
Suvavu, a small village 1} miles from Suva, on the north side of the 
harbor. Hauls were also made at the mouths of Wai Lami and Wai 
Navasi rivers. These streams converge into one at their mouths, 
forming a shallow basin. At low water the basin nearly runs dry, 
except in the middle, where a small channel has been cut through the 
soft mud and sand by the current. On the banks of the streams and 
on either side of the basin along the shore it is impossible to haul a 
seine at high water, owing to the heavy growth of mangrove trees. 
These not only cover the beach proper, but in many places extend 
some 30 or 40 yards below the beach line. Fully 100 yards from the 
shore the bottom is smooth. Beyond this point commences the reef, 
upon which numerous patches of coral appear, which extend offshore 
some 1,500 feet and at low tide are just submerged beneath the surface. 
It was found that the seine could be used to the best advantage at half 
tide, as it was then free from the coral below and the mangrove trees 
above. 
A short distance to the westward of the above-mentioned streams, 
and directly in front of Half Cast Village, is a short beach, where 
several good hauls were made. Altogether 500 fish were caught here 
and off the mouths of the streams, among which were many mullet. 
About a dozen species were secured. 
Our success was largely due to the condition of the water, which at 
most times was roily, caused by the seine stirring up the sand and 
muddy deposit. In places of this kind it is quite an easy matter to 
catch fish, and an extended stay in this locality would no doubt result 
in a collection above the average. 
The natives of Suva do not seem to be energetic fishermen. During 
the time the A/batross remained in the harbor we saw no fishing going 
on. Onanumber of occasions, however, several parties were observed 
taking fish from a trap. Judging from the number of traps which 
were located in different parts of the harbor it would seem that fishing 
with hook and line, spear, or other apparatus is not carried on to any 
great extent. 
Suva is a town of considerable importance, having a line of steamers 
touching regularly at different islands in the group, and the large 
steamers employed between Sydney and Melbourne call here at fre- 
quent intervals, creating a demand for native labor. It is therefore 
natural that at times an occupation like fishing should be abandoned 
for work more profitable. 
