The Fisheries of Japan 



2 11 



From Hugh M. Smith 



Gathering Kelp with Poles and Drags 



A large business is done in Hokkaido, the most northern of the main islands of Japan, in 

 gathering coarse broad-fronded seaweeds (Laminariacese) termed " kombu," which are used 

 as pickles, seasoners, and relishes, and also as vegetables Some varieties are served as sweet- 

 meats and others made into powders and used as tea. The fishermen go to the kelp grounds 

 in open boats, each boat with one to three men and a complement of hooks, with which the 

 kelp is torn or twisted from its strong attachment on the rocky bottom. The hooks are of 

 various patterns ; some are attached to long wooden handles, and some are weighted and 

 dragged on the bottom by means of ropes while the boats are under way. 



from San Francisco was the sighting of 

 small fishing junks ; and in order to in- 

 spect some of the fisheries in southern 

 Japan in which I was particularly in- 



terested it was necessary to seek the 

 fishermen out of sight of land. While 

 the offshore fishing boats are sturdy, 

 the government is not altogether satis- 



