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Ch. 11: Pearl Fisheries

Ch. 11: Pearl Fisheries Page of 358 Ch. 11: Pearl Fisheries Text size:minus plus Restore normal size   Mail page  Print this page
PEARL FISHERIES
All things considered, the largest and best equipped fisheries in the world to-day are those on the coast of Australia. Not as many pearls are found as at Ceylon. The main object of fishing is the shell, which is large, heavy, and furnishes the best quality of mother-of-pearl of the white variety. From Charlotte's Bay on the north-eastern coast, all along the northern coast and around to Exmouth Gulf on the western coast, pearl-oysters are abundant. Farther south at Sharks Bay, the oysters are smaller and the pearls, though of good shape and luster, run yellow. Shells from the coast of Queensland are sold as Sydney shell; those from the northern territory of South Australia, as Port Darwin shell, and from there to Exmouth Gulf on the western coast, they are marketed as West Australian shell.
The fishing is carried on by organized com­panies having capital, and every modern appliance of practical value is utilized. The divers fish with the dress. The usual method of fishing is for a schooner of eighty to one hundred tons to put out with a number of luggers of from eight to ten tons. Each lugger
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Ch. 11: Pearl Fisheries Page of 358 Ch. 11: Pearl Fisheries
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