Industry

Young Trocas

Encouragement of a Useful Industry

IT is reported in Sydney that an interest ing experiment has been carried out in Manus by the New Guinea Planters’ Asso ciation.

Between October, 1933, and January, 1934, about 5000 small trocas shells were laid out on a bare reef. They averaged about two inches in diameter. In April, 1934, some 2000 of the shells were examined, and it was found that they had grown considerably—they varied from 2¼

to 34 inches. This proved that the trocas can be transplanted and grows quickly.

Owing to the temporary eclipse of other Islands commodities, many planters are taking a keen interest in trocas-fishing, and there is a good, profitable market for the shell. Pishing is proceeding vigorously in New Guinea and the Solomons.

It is at this time that the depredations of the Japanese poachers are being seri ously felt. The Japanese not only raided these waters, taking mature shell; they also destroyed great quantities of young shell, with the result that many beds, in and about the Islands named, seem to have been permanently ruined. Australian patrols are being established, to keep the poachers away; but it looks very much like a case of tying the bull-dog to the garage-door after the bandits have re moved the car.