236 The Philippine Journal of Science i9i6 



The Department of Mindanao and Sulu includes the greater 

 part of the old Province of Mindanao (Plate I) . 



My investigations were made chiefly in the vicinity of Jolo, 

 while additional information was gathered in trips to Zam- 

 boanga, Siasi, and Sitanki and to the Pearl Bank Islands and 

 other islands. 



A report was made to Governor Carpenter on the condition of 

 the fisheries and pearl beds. Material has been taken from this 

 report to prepare three papers, namely: I, Food fishes and 

 sharks; II, Pearls, pearl shells, and button shells; III, Sponges, 

 tortoise shell, corals, and trepang. The first of these papers is 

 presented herewith. 



FOOD FISHES 



The waters of the Sulu Archipelago are abundantly supplied 

 with a great variety of food fishes, ranging from the great sea 

 bass of over 450 kilograms in weight to the small anchovy which 

 is put up as a red condiment to use on curry. A catch with 

 hook and line of over 90 kilograms of fish in half a day's fishing 

 is recorded. There should be no lack of food where the sea 

 yields so abundantly. Probably in no part of the Philippine 

 Islands are food and game fishes more abundant or of better 

 flavor than in the waters of Mindanao and Sulu. 



THE FISHING BANKS 



Certain localities in the waters of Mindanao and Sulu, where 

 commercial fishes are abundant, have acquired a reputation as 

 fishing banks. Such places are Sitanki, the banks off Caldera 

 Bay, Sibuco Bay, the vicinity of Flecha Point, and Simor, Manuc- 

 manca, Tataan, Lahatlahat, Doc Can, Malicut, and Sulade Is- 

 lands. These banks are usually well known and are frequented 

 by the Moro fishermen. 



The plankton is excessively abundant on these banks, and 

 this no doubt attracts the small fishes. The large fishes follow 

 to feed on the small fry. 



CHIEF COMMERCIAL FISHES 



It would require altogether too much space to enumerate all 

 of the food fishes that are found in the waters of Mindanao 

 and Sulu, but the most important are the following : 



The mackerel family, Scombridse, is represented by twelve 

 species. All of them are excellent food fishes. They usually oc- 

 cur in large schools and are an important part of the local food 

 supply. The most important of this family are the chub mack- 

 erels and several species known locally as cavallas or alumahan; 



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