jurisdiction of the Cingalese kings of Kandy, and that the quantity of pearls taken was "astounding and almost incredible."1
This
number of boats seems entirely too large, especially in view of the
fact that Jordanus secured his information at second hand ; but it
leaves the impression that the fisheries of that period were of great
importance.
When
the Portuguese, attracted by the wealth of its resources, obtained
control of this region about 1510, they exacted from the local rulers
an annual tribute in pearls and spices. Later they conducted the
fisheries on their own account, permitting the native fishermen to
retain one fourth of the catch as compensation for their work, and
dividing the remainder into three equal portions, for the king, the
church, and the soldiers, respectively.
Linschoten, who visited India about 1590, leaves this interesting account of the fishery at that time :
"There
are also other fishings for pearle, as between the Hand of Seylon, and
the Cape de Comoriin, where great numbers are yearlie found, for that
the King of Portingale hath a captaine there with soldiers that looketh
unto it; they have yearlie at the least above 3 or 4 thousand duckers
[divers], yt live onlie by fishing for pearles, and so maintaine
themselves." He describes the methods of fishing, which appear to be
similar to those of the present time, and adds : "When they have made
an end of the day's fishing, all the fishers with the captaine,
soldiers, laborers and watchmen for the king, goe together, and taking
all the pearls [pearl-oysters] that are caught that day they divide
them into certaine heaps, that is, one part for the king, another part
for the captaine and soldiers, the third part for the Jesuits, because
they have their Cloyster in that place, and brought the countrie first
into the Christian faith, and the last part for the Fishers, which is
done with Justice and Equalitie. This fishing is done in the Summer
tyme, and there passeth not any yeare but that divers Fishers are
drowned by the Cape de Comoriin (which is called the King's fishing)
and manie devoured by fishes, so that when the fishing is done there is
great and pitiful noyse and cry of women and children heard. Yet the
next yeare they must do the same work againe, for that they have no
other means to live, as also for that they are partlie compelled
thereunto by the Portingales, but most part because of the gaine."2
The
best description we have seen of the Ceylon fisheries at the time of
the Portuguese occupation, is that of Caesar Frederick, a Venetian
trader, who referred to the period from 1563 to 1581. Frederick
reported, according to Hickocke's translation in the Hakluyt edition :
