HORNELL— MARINE RESOURCES 



21 



probably it will be found convenient to defer the measuring till the men gather 

 together at the end of the day. 



It will be noted that I suggest a smaller gauge than that in use in South India ; 

 it is better to err on the lenient side till further experience be obtained. The 

 benefit to be derived from this procedure should be clearly explained to the men in 

 order to gain their goodwill in carrying out the regulation. 



Close Season. — If a size limit as above be enforced, no special close season need be 

 enacted, as the fact that fishing can be carried on with advantage only on the dates of 

 the great spring tides constitutes a natural close time sufiiciently protective to recpiire 



Figs. 6 and 7. — Half-grown ehanks (TurbincUa jnji'iuii) from Adatra reefs, Beyt Harljour. 



no artificial extension. It may, however, be useful to close the different sections of the 

 coast in rotation for limited periods. 



Culture. — Any form of culture necessarily demands the attention of an ofiicer 

 with at least an elementary training in fishery science on the culture side. Current 

 conditions preclude, I fear, the provision of such an officer ; but as there is a likelihood 

 in the near future that opportunities may be available for natives of India to receive 

 training at Government fishery stations on the Madras coast, I propose to suggest how, 

 at small expense, were the necessary oversight provided, simple cultural methods may 

 be tried with a view to increase the yield of ehanks and prevent any fear of a depletion 

 of the beds. 



