REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 181 

 THE PEARL FISHERY OF THE TUAMOTU ARCHIPELAGO. 



During the voyage of the Albatross in the South Pacific Ocean in 

 1899, the writer made some investigations respecting the pearl fish- 

 eries of the Tuamotu Islands. This archipelago, more than 1,500 

 miles in length, consists of atolls, or low coral islands having large 

 inclosed lagoons, within which the pearl fisheries are prosecuted. 



The yield of pearl shell fluctuates according to the sections of the 

 archipelago thrown open for pearl diving each year, and the methods 

 of conducting the fishery have changed somewhat since it was inves- 

 tigated for the French Government, in 1884, by Mr. G. Bouchon- 

 Brandeley. Until 1889 the pearl fisheries of the Tuamotus were free 

 to- all, and were participated in by both natives and whites, the latter 

 as well as some of the natives employing diving suits. From 1890 to 

 1892 the use of diving apparatus was subject to special regulations, 

 but since 1892 it has been prohibited, with the idea of restricting the 

 taking of pearl shell and preserving the industrj^ for the benefit of 

 the native inhabitants. 



Under present methods pearling is permitted each year in certain 

 lagoons only, others being closed for periods of two or three years to 

 permit the growth of shell. The different pearl-bearing lagoons are 

 thus worked in succession. The diving season begins October 1, the 

 natives concentrating at the most favorable places upon the official 

 announcement of the list of islands to be fished. The industry 

 employs about 20 small sail vessels and 600 boats or canoes. 



The more important pearling islands are: Hiqueru, Hao, Raroia, 

 Katia, Takapoto, Ahe, Manihi, Apataki, Marutea, Aratika, Faka- 

 rava, Kaukura, Marokau, and Mangareva. Hiqueru is by far the 

 most important of the group. It is worked at intervals of three years, 

 its output of shell averaging over 250 tons per season. In 1896 the 

 first month's diving produced about half the entire yield of the archi- 

 pelago. Hao Island is next in importance for pearl shell. Pearls 

 appear to be derived chiefly from Kaukura. 



At the opening of the season of 1899 the Albatross called at Hiqueru, 

 where over 3,000 persons were gathered, representing the majority 

 of the pearling population of the Tuamotus. The bulk of the pearl 

 shell was being taken from depths of 8 to 10 fathoms. Less than 25 

 per cent of the divers work at depths greater than 12 fathoms, while 

 a few only can descend to 20 fathoms. When conditions are best, 

 good divers earn i>2.20 to $2.50 (Chilean silver) a week. 



The industry here as elsewhere is based on pearl shell or mother-of- 

 pearl, worth in the European market $375 to $800 per ton, according 

 to the grade. Pearls when found are usually secreted by those dis- 

 covering them, and disposed of privately. There are no statistics 

 available respecting this feature of the fishery, although the total 

 value of the pearls that come from the islands through various chan- 

 nels is known to be considerable. 



