Profit From Sharks.

New Papuan Enterprise.

From Our Own Correspondent.

Port Moresby, June 7.

SHARKS are being caught off Dauko Island and the coastal reefs near the entrance to Port Moresby har bour, by Mr. J. A. Wilson, of Konedobu.

The skins, fins and oil are being ex ported to Australia and China.

In Australia, the skins and oil have been favourably received by the manu facturers there. Good quality skins are in demand for purses, handbags, and shoes. The oil from the livers is con verted by manufacturing chemists into substitutes for cod liver oil and em brocations. A shark's liver is generally 6 feet in length, and yields from 6 to 11 gallons of pure oil. It is, therefore, of good commercial value.

In the catching of the sharks, there is great sport and skill, coupled with some danger. Gigantic hooks, 10 in number, steel wired and on swivels,

baited with goat or fish, swing well out to sea, from anchored drums. Here they lie in wait for the unwary shark, who, when enticed, invariably falls an easy victim. Struggling and pulling, it remains there until the arrival of the launch for inspection, with “boys” and tow-lines.

Transferring the wired hook and swivel, with its live load to the tow line is no easy matter, neither is the playing of the fierce outlaw to the shore. Twisting, rushing, and biting, he puts up a strenuous and magnificent fight, until, exhausted and helpless, he is dragged to shallow water and speared.

A grey nurse, 18ft. long, was lost last May near the harbour, after a tremen dous struggle from the reef, 3 miles from the mainland. It turned and rose, and in fury bit the steel wire in two and darted away.

The flesh of the shark is highly valued in China, as are also the fins.

When powdered, these are used as a flavouring for soups and certain dishes,

and are as dearly prized as beche-de mer. There are certain methods of preparing and packing the flesh of the shark for export, Mr. Wilson hopes before long to be able to send a ship ment of flesh, as well as the fins, to China, besides exporting the oil and skins to the Australian manufacturers.