REPORT OP A SURVEY OP PISHERIES IN THE GILBERT ISLANDS

'

L. C. DEVATIBEZ

Assistant Fisheries Officer South Pacific Commission

Noumea South Pacific Commission 1960

SPC Library

2 33097 Bibliotheque CPS I* TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION 1 GENERAL 1 Geography and Climate 1 EXISTING FISHERIES • 2 Subsistence Fishing 2 (a) Fishing in the Ocean 2 (b) Fishing in the Lagoon , • 5 (c) Fishing on the Reef 6 (d) Fresh and Brackish Water Ponds 6 Local Market Fishery 7 Commercial Fisheries 7 DISCUSSION 9 Subsistence Fisheries 9 Local Market Fishery 9 (a) Mechanization of Canoes 9 (b) Fishing Techniques 10 (c) Marketing 10 (d) Introduction of Small Craft Equipped with Livewells 10 Commercial Fisheries 11 (a) Mother-of-pearl Shell 11 (b) Salt 12 (c) Fishmeal or Fish Flakes 14 Miscellaneous 15 (a) Tuna Fishing Industry 15 (b) Shells and Curios 15 (c) Fresh and Brackish Water Ponds 16 CONCLUSIONS 17 BIBLIOGRAPHY 18 APPENDIX I - Sketch Map of the Gilbert Islands AFPENDIX II - Sketch Map of Abaiang ATTACHMENT - "25 Foot Auxiliary Cutter" by A.N. Swinfield. REPORT OK A SURVEY OF FISHERIES IH THE.GILBERT ISLANDS

- 28 September to 30 November 1959 -

INTRODUCTION :. v....

At the request of the Western Pacific High Commission and of the Administration of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony, a survey of fisheries was carried out from 28th September to 30th November 1959 in the Gilbert Islands.

In view of the limited time available (roughly two months actual working time) and the difficult nature of conmunications in the Colony, it was felt better to devote at least one week to each of a few islands rather than attempt to visit a large number of islands, spending only a. day or two in each.

Visits were therefore arranged extemporaneously, to fit within known shipping schedules and it was found possible to cover the atolls of Onotoa, Butaritari, Abaiang and Tarawa for periods' ranging from one week to fourteen days. In addition, half a day was spent on Beru.

The most courteous cooperation was extended, by His Honour, the Resident Commissioner, Mr. M.L. Bernacciii,the District Commissioner, Gilbert and Ellice Islands, Mr. R.G. Roberts, the Cooperatives Officer, Mr. R.H.H. Cooper, the Assistant Cooperatives Officer, Mr. A. Howarth, the Native Magistrates and Chief Kaubures of all islands visited and a number of private persons.

GENERAL • -,"• .-.

Geography and Climate

In recent years the Gilbert Islands have been the subject of a number of scientific surveys, several of which have been .rjp.p.rt§.d.;ifully;i.n_tji^: Atoll Researoh Bulletin of the Pacific Science.Board. j^AiL-li-'. 2.

Geographical details of the Gilbert Islands will be found in Bulletin No. 59>: Report on the-Gilbert Islands :by

gXISTIKG FISHERIES

Subsistence fishing is actively practised in the Gilbert Islands. Two main zones of activity can be distinguished here.?. . the lagoon and the ocean. Each of these two areas produces different types of fish and requires different types of fishing craft and fishing methods. In addition, the outer reef flats provide'large quantities of small fish,crustaceans and mollusks. Finally, some fresh and'brackish water ponds are still occasionally stocked with milkfish (Chanps chartos). .

. (. : These •. fbur areas will be.. treated . in the following order:

Ocean Hook and Line

'• r Trolling Drift-fishing Pole and Line Torch'Fishing <"'""

Lagoon Hook and'line -

••;- , : ••• Nets • . \, , . . .:•• " .'•,'•'.-: . Spearfishing

Reef •• . , . ;.-•• .Hook and line Torch Fishing Gathering of shellfish Fishtraps Fresh and Brackish Water Ponds -' .-....•.•; famishing in the Ocean Trolling is a favourite method throughout the group, except in the reef 3. islands where fewer canoes are used. Cotton lines of varying lengths and strengths are used. These are generally not tied to the canoe, but held in the hand, or tied with a slip-toot to the.fisherman's foot. About 100 feet of line is paid out and any surplus is held in reserve, to be used if it becomes necessary to play a large fish.

The lures used are generally made of red cock.feathers or fashioned from the skin of u horse mackerel (Te Sari). European or Japanese—made feather jigs are also used, although their price often acts as a deterrent to potential users. European and Japanese fishing lures are usually more, effective than the locally made red feather jigs, but Gilbertese fishermen seem to show no inclin­ ation to modify their habits and tie a few white feathers among the red,

.. ., .Although nylon lines from 3 lbs. to 50G lbs breaking strain are available at Tarawa, local fishernien still prefer cotton lines which are cheaper and also easier to handle with bare hands. These lines are often given a coal-tar treat­ ment to preserve them.

. ;. Only.the larger types of outrigger canoes are used outside the lagoon; these craft are usually;-from 20 to 30 feet long,.3 to 4 feet wide, and 5 to 6 feet deep, and can.take up to eight or nine men. The size of these canoes and the flimsy construction of the paddles generally used, make it difficult to do any effective fishing when the wind fails or blows from the wrong direction.

••• -' Ocean trolling is dependent on a fair breeze, as the canoes have to cover'fairly long distances to leave the lagoon through a suitable pass and, in addition^ must reach the feeding shoals of fish in a comparatively short time. Activity is thus limited and while a canoe may bring back a dozen fish or more on a successful outing, whole days are often spent at sea for very little result.

The main species caught by this method are: yellowfin tuna (ifeothunnus aacropterus). skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis). and kingfish (Acanthocvbium spp.) with occasional captures of Trevally (Caranx spp.'),' swordfish (Xiphiidae. Istip-phoridae), and miscellaneous other species. . .,:,..:....

According to local informants; I have not been able to visit any reef island. 4.

Drift Fishery? is still'practised in a few islands such,as. Qnotoa, Tarawa, (mostly by men who originally cams from other islands), and.Kakin (according to local informants).., It is carried .put with .the same, canoes as for trolling. Three to five medium sized hooks (1-5-" to 1-fJi across the bend) are tied to 2' wire droppers which themselves are joined at intervals of about 5' to a main wire leader attached at one end to the line and fitted at the other end with : a "heavy sinker.

Castor oil fish (Ruvettus preciosus). and yellowfin tuna are the main catches, with various Gempylidae (Pr.omethichthys prometheus is the most common) as occasional catches when this method is used at,night, and sharks in the daytime.

:This type of fishing is:done in depths from 50.to'Several'hundred fath­ oms. Compared with trolling, it offers the advantage of producing more regular catches, but on the other hand, it requires more gear and is practicable only in fine weather.

Pole and line fishing is surviving only in a few islands, mainly in the Southern Gilberts. It is a method specially adapted for catching skipjack and has,:iri other parts of the Pacific, developed into "livebait fishing" (Hawaii, Western U.S., Japan) or'-"bohito fishing" (Tahiti). It is a compromise between trolling and still-fishing. The gear' consists of a pole 8 to'10 feet long and a cotton line of the same length, at the end of which is attached a small (2 to 3") •lure made of 'pearl-shell and"fitted with a barbless hook." When a school of skip-

. jack, is:-,sighted feeding OK the surface, the canoe is paddled along the edges of the .school;and the, pearl-shell lure is trailed: just.under the stufface.' When a

:fish bites,; it ,is. lifted bodily, caught under the fisherman's arm/-unhooked and thrown into the;,canoe. i:.;.:' :.•..'.'•'•'.•..

One''observation seems to show that this method is gradually falling into oblivion in some (possibly an most) islands: • Abaian^ is the only island in the Gilberts 'where mqther-of-pgarl; .•oystgrsj.are. readily.^obtainable!,::'ye.t\;.ihis method is not, practised there'.,. •;) .. ...C :••.•.•:.; • ' •'••"-" r::--'

Torch Pishing 'in the' ocean'' is" a method used to batch "iflyirig'"'fish, (Cyps'elu"rus"-sp.'). "only.""This"is'seasonal' fishing and appears to be exftremely popular throughout the group. The fish are caught with long handled dip nets. 5.

. .--^Pressure lanterns of the Coleman. or.-Tilley typu are gradually replacing the -traditional torches made of coconut fronds.- •-:.: ••...

(b) Fishing in the Lagoon

Hook and Line Fishing is comparatively unimportant in the lagoon. Old men and women occasionally anchor a small canoe over a patch of reef and let down a simple handline (now often made of nylon; to catch small rock cods (iSpinepholidae) • or other reef fish (mostly Scaridae). This activity is, however, sporadic and does not produce important catches, even from the subsistence point of view.

Nets are used in all of the lagoons visited and probably in many others. Both cotton and nylon nets have been observed, overall dimensions and mesh sizes differing widely, from a 30' cotton net, 5' deep, with 4" mesh (stretched), to a 150' nylon net, 5' deep, with 2" mesh (stretched).

Generally speaking, nylon nets seem co be very popular, as it is only necessary to set them in. a rough circle, or even, in a straight line, and to scare the fish towards them. The species caught include mostly mullet, small carangidae, gerridae and bonefish (Albula vulpes).

Nets are used only in depths of 3 to 5 feet. The cotton nets are used mostly as surround nets, the nylon gear indifferently as surround nets or as tangle nets.

; Cast nets are fairly common at .Tarawa, and were seen at, Abaiang. They are generally small (6 to 8 feet) and made of very small meshes (about -j" stretched).

These nets are mainly used to catch sardines and small gerridae.

Speari'ishing was only observed in one form- i.e. underwater spearfishing. The gear used invariably includes small diving goggles which were formerly made of local woods by the divers themselves, but are now plastic models bought from the stores.

The spear may be made of a heavy mild steel rod about 1/3" in diameter, and 2 to 3 feet long, carefully set in a 10" wooden shaft, or alternatively a 4 to 6 foot long, -f" steel rod is used with a rubber sling. 6.

Various parrot fish (Scaridae), rock cods and groupers (Serranidae. Bpinephelidae). are the main species caught by this method. Giant clams are also gathered whenever possible.

(c)Fishing on the Reef ••-••- •

Seine fishing is done with pole.and-line on ths outer edge of the reef on the ocean' side. However, I was unable to observe this activity during my stay.

The outer reef flat is fished both in the daytime and at night. In the first case, women and children gather shellfish and small octopus. In the second, a team of two or three persons goes torchfishing, preferably on a moonless night. One, man carries a lighted torch .and a small dip net or more, often a bush knife, while his wife or partner carries a bundle of spare torches and a bag or basket in which are thrown together small fish, small octopus, shellfish, crabs and occasionally some crayfish..

, Traditionally, torches made of coconut fronds are used; however, pressure lamps are beginning to replace them in many places. .

. ' Large fish traps built of coral blocks are a recurrent feature of the outer reef plateau in most islands-. •

The catches are quite:irregular. The main species caught is the bonefish • (Albu'la" vulpes) .and schools of these come onto the reef only at certain seasons, and even then, only at certain phases of the moon. Over the whole year, it is doubtful.whether these traps average more than a few pounds of fish per day. They ' - -are, however, fairly reliable within.their seasonal limitations. .

(d;Fresh and Brackish Water Ponds

Ponds of varying sizes exist in a number of --islands -(DOG Catala, 1957, Report oh the; Gilbert Islands). The water in these ponds varies from fresh to very salty. •'These ponds were used in the past to grow milkfish (Changs'chanos). In recent years, possibly due to the very complicated system of ownership, inter­

est in.these ponds seems to:have waned.

...:" ': ' In Butaritari, several ponds were seen, some-'of them quite large, which seemed to have been stocked fairly recently. 'Milkfish'from 2" to 5" long were 7. fairly common, while in two ponds, a few isolated specimens 12" to 20" were ob­ served. In all cases the salinity was.not, measurable with an areometer. The pi{ 0.5, was quite uniform in all pondo, while temperatures ranged from 84 F. at 09.00 h. to 93°F. at 15.00 h. .: ' •'

Local Market Fishery

Tarawa

~,'hile subsistence fishing activities are normal in Onotoa, Butaritari and Abal'ang, the circumstances obtaining at Tarawa are quite different. In ad­ dition to the normal population, one finds.there the European staff of the Admin­ istrative Headquarters and their families, atf well as a force of several hundred men, employed on various tasks such as the Harbour Project, stevedoring for the Wholesale Society, working in. the boatyards or maintenance workshops etc...

This expatriate population is mainly concentrated on the islands of Betio, Bairiki and Bikenibeu.

While the native labour force still carries on with subsistence fishing to a certain extent, its steady occupations restrict such activities considerably. A fev; fishermen make an arrangement with one or more European families and supply them with fish, but even in this case, the supply is often erratic.

Tarawa is the only place visited where a small market fishery could be operated profitably. Such a small scale industry would serve to replace the present inadequate subsistence fishery. It should be mentioned that a "Fishmarket" has been established on Betio. This is a shed approximately 15' x 10' which is used whenever fishermen have surplus catches to sell. Prices current at the time of my visit ranged from 9d. to l/- per lb.

Commercial Fisheries

A small quantity of sharkfins is still exported each year. The manager of the C.II.3. was positive that this export could be increased as the product sold readily in Australia.

Repeated attempts have been made to ensure a supply of salt-dried fish 3. for-Tarawa from some of the. -other islands. The irregularity of shipping is how­ ever, . a. drawback. .In addition, the salt' used to cure the fish is often gathered at the edges:of ponds rather than bought from the store. This salt contains all kinds of impurities; the fish treated with it soon: develops red t>r yellbw stains and it does not keep as long as it normally should under such a healthy climate.

A fev; persons export shells in small quantities as curios or as collect ors' items.

The use of shells and shark's teeth in handicraft manufacture absorbs small quantities, of both item's. Some suggestions are made in this connection in the second part of.this report. ' ' 9.

DISCUSSION

Subsistence Fisheries'

The techniques used and the resources exploited in Onotoa, Butaritari and Abaiang are quite adequate to satisfy local subsistence needs. The fact that this type of fishery is not directly productive of income should not be inter­ preted to signify that it is insufficient or backward. Like the traditional Gilbertese house or the local type of canoe, it makes use of what is available, and, all told, gives satisfactory' results. If there is any fault to be found with subsistence fishing in the Gilberts, it is the lack of intensity, but then it is hardly possible to .reconcile copra production and intense fishing. Mechanization of canoes with small out-boards would certainly improve the fishery, or at least make it more reliable. " '"

Local Market Fishery

A local market fishery would serve a useful purpose in Tarawa. The concentration of population in this atoll is likely to last for quite a few years,

; according; to information received from His Honour, the Resident Commissioner. Tarawa has some boat building yards where launches and small boats' can be built and repaired, and a mechanical workshop where engines can be serviced. Two small boat harbours exist at Betio and Bairiki.

: Two possibilities could be envisaged;'

(i) Mechanization of canoes (outboard motors)

(ii) Using two small (25') cutters with livewells.. (See Quarterly Bulletin, October 1959)

In actual fact it would be preferable to begin with point (i) and grad- ually work up'to point (ii).

Such a market fishery could be organized, along the following lines:

(a) Mechanization of Canoes

As mentioned earlier, t'he-'iSecfern:zri'tib be the .. 10.

first step towards creating a proper market fishery in Tarawa.

The traditional construction of Gilbertese canoes does not lend itself to the installation of inboard engines. Outboards, however, have made consider­ able progress over the last ten years and many reliable makes and models are now available.

Outboard motors from 3 to 5 IIP would provide ample, power for, tradition­

al canoes from 10 to 25 feet long and.it is only.for .very large,;heavy hulls that 10 HP motors should be envisaged......

i :.To mount, an outboard .motor, ;in the case of most small arid medium sized . canoes, , it ;would be necessary to strengthen the outrigger booms^ or alternatively, • .to install a. strong bracket near, one end of the canoe.

(b) Fishing Techniques

All traditional methods such as trolling, drift fishing, and torch fish­ ing would be retained .and new techniques such as longlining_(bo.ttom..;;aetsv and Jap­ anese types), deep trolling and drift netting should gradually be added.

.,;i-.:>.-; Inforrngtion .on longlihing and trolling will shortly be published by the

;.-SI:outh-, Pacific .Conffuissionr.in its Technical-Papers series, and copie's will be for­ warded. :

(c) Marketing . .;•.'-..'.

While mechanization to the extent suggested in (a) would certainly in­ crease catches, it is doubtful whether it would-make a very elaborate marketing system necessary. The cold storage facilities of the Wholesale Society might be used in some cases to spread the.sale of a particularly heavy catch over a few days. Generally speaking, catches would be sold immediately upon landing.

However, it would be desirable to improve the quality of fish sold to the customers, and the marketing of live fish would appear to offer a very good solution to this problem.

(d) Introduction of Small Craft Equipped with Live-wells

Small cutters of the type described in the South Pacific Commission 11.

"Quarterly'Bulletin, October 1959, would enable fishermen to bring in their fish " alive. This, of course would apply only in the case of lagoon fishing for snappers and rock cods. Still, fairly large quantities of these could be:marketed alive, even after being kept two or three days in live boxes outside the boat harbour. Alternatively, the fish brought in alive could be killed, dressed and put in cold storage.

Commercial Fisheries

At present, sharkfins represent the only export. The difficulty of bringing in large sharks often loads fishermen to let-them go, hoping tp catch some smaller but mere manageable fish instead.

Mechanisation of canoes or the introduction of small auxiliary cutters would probably increase the output of shark fins. However, it is doubtful whether shark fishing will ever become ": major industry in the Gilberts.

Three other products would warrant further study. Mother-of-pearl shell, salt and fish flakes.:

(a)Mother-of-pearl Shell ......

Mother-of-pearl oysters, Pinetado, margaritifera L. were found, in small quantities at Abaiang. A survey of Onotoa, carried out with six divers over a . period of 7 days produced only seven shells,, two of which-wore dead. Abal'ang, however, produced thirteen live shells and a number of dead ones* in a few hours diving. Many more, shells were seen and could not be brought up, as the canoe was allowed to drif£ with the current, which was strong.

It is my personal opinion that there are probably pearl shell beds in­ side the lagoon,- in the deeper parts. However, equipment was lacking to explore these areas and I. was therefore -limited to the shallow areas on the west side of the lagoon, near the boat passes. (See Appendix II)

In.the absence of any data on the existence of. pearl shell inside the lagoon, I shall deal here only with the;quantities obtainable from the Western Passes area. . • • 12.

.'.There is. enough shell there to supply the raw material for a small curia industry.. The main obstacle is the fact that the Gilbertese-have no pictor­ ial art. This, however, could be remedied with the help of the various schools and missions, in-the islands;• A small production of pehrl shell jewellery, orna- inents., curios, ;--tc... could bo developed and sold either in Suva or in Australia.

In order to conserve this resource, no shell less than 7" in its largest 0 should be taken. The shells should be measured aboard the canoes before open­ ing them and returned to a suitable spot in the lagoon "if "'found 'td"be' undersize.

In tne event that pearl shell beds are found in the lagoon, it would be wise to provide for a survey by a marine biologist in order to frame suitable regulations for the rational exploitation of this resource. A curio industry would- still,be advisable, but:the bulk of the shell could be sold in Australia or direct- ,..:ly.in the United Kingdom. •

' The results of the survey made by Mr. J.3. HYND, Marine Biologist, CSIRO, ''•••• in :tlie..Cook Islands, would certainly be of some interest in this connection and a copy of his report will be forwarded as soon as it becomes available.

(b)sait •...,-...... :..;...:..:;

During abrief ,visit..;to. Be.ru, I had the opportunity to visit the fish­ ponds- situated at the northern end of the main island.

Salinity in one pond was found to be GO/1000 at a temperature of about 105°F. (the thermometer scale stopped at 10b°F.). A thick layer of salt sludge was present at the pond's edges and. a deposit of salt covered the ground all round the ponds.

The' area covered by the fish-ponds is quite extensive and flat. The very fine-grained soil is lime silt,'and packs tight. Tides in the Gilbert Islands have'a mean range of slightly over four feet and a spring range of six feet.

In my opinion, Beru would be ideally situated to produce salt commerc­ ially. Salt could be exported to Fiji, taking advantage of the visits paid annually to Fiji'by the Colony ships for refitting. These ships normally make the trip on ballast. In the six years period, 1953-1958, Fiji imported an average 13- of 1,584.4 tons of salt annually. The average price per ton landed over this six years period was £F.12.9.5 but a steady increase is evident, for instance, average price par ten was £i\14.18.0 in 1955 and £F.15.13.3 in 1953.

Onotoa has flats near the northern end which could also be used for salt •leaking. One particularity of this island is that these flats are adjacent to an inlet which has, in the past, been closed by two rock dykes or dams. The pressure of water has, however, broken these dams in the centre and the water rushes in and out with the tide.

A difference of 2' in water level between the.outer and inner sides of the inner dara was noticed at approximately half:tide. This arrangement • could very easily be used, with modifications, to feed salt pans.

In an article published in the Quarterly Bulletin .of July 1955, Mr. van Pel defined five conditions which must he fulfilled.for the extraction of salt from seawater;

"1.,. The salinity ofx the water should be at least 25 parts per thousand.^1> 2. The dry season must last at least five months. 3. There should be sufficient sunshine and, preferably, dry winds. I •-•••" 4. The soil forming the bottom of the salt ponds should not be porous.

5. The site should be close to the sea. ; . \* -'Ocean water has an average salinity of 35 parts per thousand. "

All 'of these conditions are fulfilled in Beru .and Onotoa, and probably in a number of other islands, especially in the southern part of the group. With properly established salt pans ..covering a total surf ace..'of 55 .square chains, productions of over 100 .tons per five months season are considered quite normal. Under the conditions existing at Beru, I should imagine- that the dry spells would generally last much more than five months, and that yearly production should be considerably increased. The long- droughts, during which the Southern Gilberts see their copra output reduced, could thus be turned to advantage. ' 14.

(c)Fish-meal or Fish-flakes' '

At the tine of ray visit, the C.vY.S. received an enquiry from Australia about the possibility of producing shark r.ieal as animal feed. I have not seen the letter end cannot say whether true fish-meal was required or whether the more easily and cheaply produced cooked and dried fish-flakes would suffice.

There is no doubt that both products could be made in the Gilbert Islands. However, a fish-meal plant would necessitate a comparatively large investment. In addition, it is difficult to say, without trials, whether meal or flakes could be produced at such a low cost that it could support freight and'handling charges to Australia (including trans-shipment at Ocean Island) and leave a profit. A test batch of fish-flakes could be prepared and shipped to Australia. The process for making fish, flakes is as follows:•

: Any kind of edible fish can bo usee. The necessary equipment only in­ cludes one large cooking pot (this can be replaced by a 44-gallon drum), and one or more iron .sheets. ...

The fish should be gutted, scaled and washed. The largest should be cut into pieces. They should then be cooked in a mixture of 50^ seawater and 50$ fresh water. The fish should be boiled for 30 minutes, then taken out of the pot and placed on aii iron sheet supported, about 3 feet from the ground on posts or other supports. The bones should be rejected and the flesh broken into small pieces. A small fire should then be made under the iron sheet end maintained until the fish flakes are dry; the flakes should be turned over from time to time; the temper-

i: ature of the iron sheet should not be very high. It sliould be fairly comfortable " to touch. It is preferable to dry the flakes under a low shade which will retain smoke and keep the flies away.

The finished product is quite fit for human consumption and appears as small yellow flakes with a slight smoked flavour. It c:-.ri be consumed as prepared, , or softened in warm water and made into soups, fritters, etc. : The product, when put in .well-closed-..containers,, (bottles, jars, bamboo tubes, tins, etc.) can be kept over.eighteen months without losing any of its quality. 15.

Before storing the fish flakes it is preferable to-let them cool for half an :hour.

Pish flakes offer the following advantages;

(1) They keep well; (2) They offer a simple means of preserving surpluses of fish; (3) They constitute an insurance against periods of low catches; (4) The product is easy to transport even over long''-distances; (5) Restorative foods are seldom available in the South Pacific Islands and fish flakes may offer a satisfactory substitute.

Two samples of fish flakes were, .analysed.at the Central-Institute for Nutrition Research T.N.O..and gave-the following composition:

Moisture 10.4^ Nitrogen content 13.5$ Protein content (iT x 6.25) 84.5# Pat 4.1$ Ash (about 550°C.) 4.5^ Calcium (calculated-for the.. 0.25^ whole product)

Miscellaneous

(a): 'Tuna Fishing Industry

One of the questions that I had to answer on numerous occasions dealt •with the possibility of establishing a fish canning industry in the Gilberts.

I:doubt very much whether any -island in the group would have sufficient fresh water to support such an industry even on a comparatively small scale.

A fleet of, say, 10 longliners would' require an average of 800 tons of ice 'every 15 days, in addition to drinking water. A cannery of modest size would again require- much greater quantities of pure fresh water which would not be read­ ily available» The high cost of imported supplies would further contribute to make such an enterprise unrealistic.

(b) 'Shells and curios

Mention of curios has already been made in the section on mother-of- pearl shell. Other colourful shells, euc::i a? co-fries, .mitre and auger shells, helmet shells, cones, spider shells, etc... which arc normally spurned by the islanders, or gathered for food, may provide the raw materials for curios and ornaments or alternatively, could be sold in bulk to a firm, dealing with shells as collectors' items.

Shark teeth migat also be sold, in bulk in Australia'or Fiji for the manufacture of curios.' They-might bring in bettor returns this way, than they 'do as mounted swords.

(c) Fresh and Brackish ¥ater o-onds

In the description of existing fisheries, I have mentioned the exist­ ence of ponds in'many islands, and a few personal observations made in Butaritari.

In this particular island, and no doubt in several others, the relation between the fish stock and the volume- of water in each pond seems to be veTf low. The introduction of Ti'lapia mossambica would certainly increase the yield of these inland waters considerably and would'also make periodical restocking unnecessary. This species has been tested in brackish water in Kalaya, Indonesia and Hawaii, and a low salinity does not seem to affect reproduction. Tilapia vn.ll even rcs~ produce, though not as rapidly, in sea water of normal ..salinity.: (35/l 000).

The introduction of Tilapia from Fiji would offer no difficulty if they- were shipped'by air, in plastic bags, under oxygen at low pressure. It is prefer­ able. to add. a tranquillizer, viz. sodium amytal, Nembutal, Largactil or Amobarbital," to the.water.. 'Standard doses are as follows • -

Sodium amytal ) 7 mg./litre Nembutal Largactil 1 part per million Amobarbital • 1 part per 100,000

One shipment of 100 fingerlings (- 1-^" long) would be sufficient for stocking two of the largest ponds in Butaritari, from which stocks could be drawn in 4 to 5 months time for other ponds and even other islands. 17.

Hale Til.'.ipis mossambica reach an average length of 10-11" at 9 months, Females remain smaller (o"-9")« This species it quite prolific and it would be necessary to remove fairly important quantities of fisn from each pond every year. This could be done on a day-to-day subsistence basis, or in two or three communal fishing drives, as was done earlier in the case of Milkfish.

CONCLUSIONS

Subsistence fisheries are adequate in the islands visited, except Tarawa;

A small market fishery should be organised in Tarawa to take the place of subsistence fisheries to a certain extent; mechanization of canoes should precede the introduction of small motor boats;

Commercial fisheries possibilities are limited to shark fins, fish flakes and. mother-of-pearl shell (if sufficient quantities are found); mechanisation would be necessary in each case to bring a small industiy into existence. Regulations should be envisaged to conserve nother-of-pearl oysters);

Other industries should include salt making, which, as far as I can see, could be developed into a major industry. Curios and shells might provide a side line comparable in scope and returns to the present handicrafts trade;

A tuna fishing industry for the export of frozen or canned t'lna would not be practicable;

The introduction of Tilapia mossambica in the fresh and brackish water ponds of the group would increase the yield of these ponds considerably. 18.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

BANN3R (A.H.) & RANDALL (.I.E.), 1952 Preliminary Report on Marine Biology Study of Onotoa Atoll, Gilbert Islands. Pacific Science Board, Atoll Research Bulletin No. 13, Washington, D.C,

CATALA (R.L.A.)f 1957 Report on the Gilbert Islands; Some Aspects of Human Ecology. Pacific Science Board, Atoll Research Bulletin No. 59, Washington D.C.

RAhDALL (J.E.), 1955 Fishes of the Gilbert Islands Pacific Science Board, Atoll Research Bulletin Mo. 47, Washington D.C.

SACHET (M.-II.), 1957 Climate and Meteorology of the Gilbert Islands. Pacific Science Board, Atoll Research Bulletin No. 60, Washington D.C.

SCHULTZ (L.P.), 1953 Fishes of the Marshall and Marianas Islands. Vol. I. United States National Museum Bulletin 202, Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C.

SWINFIELD (A.N}, 1959 25 Foot Auxiliary Cutter for Pacific Fishermen. South Pacific Commission Quarterly Bulletin, Vol. 9, No. 4, Noumea, New Caledonia. van PEL (H.), 1955 Salt-making by Solar Evaporation. South Pacific Commission Quarterly Bulletin Vol. 9, No. 4? Noumea, New Caledonia. APPENDIX I

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