Oyater Culture. In the immediate pre-war years 46,000 - 
60,000 metric tons of oysters were produced (Table 15). Although several 
species were raised, magLki ( Ostrea gigas ) was the main one. The prin¬ 
cipal centers of production were in Hiroshima, Miyagi, Saga and Shizuoka 
prefectures although small-scale culture was carried on in nearly all 
the southern prefectures bordering the Pacific and those bordering the 
Inland Sea. Hiroshima Prefecture claimed half the total production. 
Two methods were used: (l) an older method of planting wiers of 
bamboo or branches at a height so that at low tide they are exposed 
above the sea water for the collection of spats; and (2) "the new-hanging 
method" by which oysters are suspended on floating rafts making it un¬ 
necessary to pay attention to the condition of the sea bottom. 
General. The so-called Japanese "deep-sea fisheries" 
consist of operations in "home waters" plus trawling, fishing in north¬ 
ern waters, distant tuna and bonito operations and fishing off Korea, 
Formosa, Kwantung and the Mandated Islands. 30/ Whaling, here included 
under special fisheries, is also sometimes considered as part of the 
deep-sea fisheries. 
In general, the deep-sea fisheries differ from coastal fishing 
in several respects. Boats go out much farther from their home bases 
as operations are either in the deep sea or in shallow waters at 
30/ "Deep-sea" fishing is really a misnomer as some of these operations 
are carried on in shallow water. This classification is used here, how¬ 
ever, since there are valid distinctions on the basis of type of operation 
and since Japanese statistics divide the industry this way. 
- 78 - 
16-031 P 102 bu 
