MALAYAN FISHES. 9 



" The migration is not merely inshore and offshore, but is 

 at the same time in a definite direction with respect to the 

 coast. 



" Thus the life of the fish is spent until in from three to 

 six years at the most, the call of maturity comes. In response 

 thereto a migration takes place which appears to be usually 

 beyoDd the limits of the seasonal migrations of the school."^ 



A few moments' consideration will enahle one to realise that the 

 life habits of every species of fish are subject to certain fixed laws. 

 It is only a matter of systematic organised research to discover 

 those lam's and to apply the knowledge to the development of 

 Malayan Fisheries. 



We can learn what has been done in 'Canada, Greait Britain and 

 the United States, but this general learning must be supplemented 

 by detailed local research. We must work out our own local tables. 



There are, probably, no less than 2000 species of fish in 

 Malayan waters. There are certainly not less than 500 species of 

 economic importance, and if we take 250 species as being valuable 

 Marine food fishes, some idea may be formed of the amount of 

 research required before we shall be in a position to state definitely 

 where a certain species may be found in full roe, where its spa"\vning 

 grounds are, where the recruiting grounds of its young are and 

 when and where it travels during its seasonal migrations. 



Information of this kind will enable our fishermen to catch fish 

 in the best condition and in the greatest quantities and this is the 

 information which the Fishery Departments of Canada and America 

 give the fishermen, even to the extent of using aeroplanes, fitted 

 with wireless, to locate shoals and disseminate information. 



There is a great deal of knowledge, of which no use is being 

 made, in the possession of many illiterate Malay fishermen, spread 

 over wide areas, all along the coasts of Malaya. This knowledge 

 should be collected and tabulated. 



The Departments of Fisheries in Ceylon, Australia, India, 

 the Netherlands Indies and the Philippines have published records 

 dealing with the fishes which also inliabit our seas and, in con- 

 sequence, the Fishery Officers and scientists have the benefit of a 

 vast amount of scientific research work on which to build up local 

 data. 



Though the question of damage to our marine fisheries has 

 evoked some attention during the past two years, it is doubtful 

 whether serious thought has been given to the terrible damage done 

 to the fresh water fisheries by mining silt. Engineers have fought 

 for their roads and railways against the invading silt, but, to judge 

 from official reports, no one has fought for the fisheries and the 

 need for protection of the riverine rights of the people would appear 

 to have passed unnoticed. 



* Meek, Migrations of Fish. 



