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File 2830/1914 Pt 2 'Persian Gulf: Pearl Fisheries. Investigation into Alleged Depletion of Pearl Banks. Germans and the Industry. Concessions, etc.' [‎148r] (304/578)

The record is made up of 1 volume (283 folios). It was created in 1902-28 July 1914. It was written in English and French. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .

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5. Oyster shells when picked up not only have other small oyster shells
attached to them, but appear to he the hosts of many other molluscs and
parasites of different sorts.
The larvae after release from the parent oyster are free to move where they
like. Later on they stick to the bottom either close to the place of origin but
on occasions at a considerable distance therefrom. They then fix themselves
to shells, stones or other objects and assume the form of an oyster. They are
that time only about ^th of an inch in diameter and it is more than possible
that large numbers of these adhere to the shells, and were the shells returned
to the water it seems probable that many of the minute oysters would survive
the few hours which they remain in the pearling boat.
In certain artificial beds the method is simply to distribute oyster shells
over the ground, just before the spawning season, so as to afford domiciles to
the young oysters.
I say few hours, as there is no fixed procedure for examining the oysters
for pearls.
This depends on the quantity of shells found on any particular day, the
state of the weather, the idiosyncrasies of the various Nakhodas, etc.
Generally speaking, there are two examinations : one in the evening and
the other in the morning.
6 . Oyster beds have been destroyed by over-fishing, by natural causes,
probably disease as their enemies are few, and rarely by migration.
In such instances it has frequently taken many years for the hank to
recover itself.
Locally it has long been known that certain hanks which yield abundantly
one year may have very few oysters the next or even for several years in suc
cession. It is therefore clear that the cause now attributed is not the sole
reason for diminution.
7. At present natural causes for diminution are beyond our power of
control, neither can we prevent increase of pearling vessels. There only
remains the sale of shells.
Even on the assumption that the theory adduced by the Nakhodas for the
deficit is incorrect it would not be wise to take any risks in the matter as the
shell trade is only a by-product of the pearl trade, and even in exceptional
years it only amounts to about 4 per cent, the value of the latter.
The fishers are Arabs and I am confident that a large number of the
middle class Nakhodas will follow the bigger ones to make some combined
effort for the coming season. Owing to lack of organization, the measures
without our co-operation and guidance are likely to be only partially successful
and a step of this nature is practically useless unless complete measures are
taken. It is moreover necessary to contemplate the fact that the measures
might have to proceed for five or ten years or even indefinitely.
There is no doubt that our assistance in closing the shell trade would be
warmly appreciated by the Arabs, who would then be convinced that we would
sooner lose the trade in shells than see their pearl trade damaged.
8 . Government will desire to he fully convinced of the necessity before
taking action to assist stopping the trade, and I regret I have not sufficient
data to afford such proofs.
It may be considered that for the following season it is sufficient to allow
the Nakhodas to make their own preventive measures.
In this case it will only be necessary to watch the results of the next pearl
season. If they are favourable, no further action appears necessary; if
unfavourable, complete measures can be taken for the season of 1912, and in
the meantime the steps to he taken can be fully considered.
Should Government wish to take fuller measures for the season of 1911,
the only thing that is necessary in respect to Bahrain is for Sheikh Isa to
proclaim that no shells will be allowed to be imported, or sold in Bahrain, and
merchants making advances for shells will do so at their own risk.

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Content

The volume concerns pearl fishing in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ; in particular attempted incursions into the trade by the French, Germans, and others; the political and economic interests of the British in pearl fishing; investigations into reports of the depletion of the pearl fishing banks in the Gulf; and proposals to use modern diving apparatus.

The principal correspondents are the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. (Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Percy Zachariah Cox); the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. , Bahrain; and senior officials of the Government of India, the India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. , the Foreign Office, and the Board of Trade.

The papers cover: Report on the Ceylon Pearl Fisheries , published 1902 (including extracts of documents from the 1850s onwards), which includes references to the presence of Arab divers at the Ceylon fisheries (folios 247-281); the presence of two French businessmen in Bahrein [Bahrain], and the question of whether European enterprise could be excluded from the pearl fishing industry on the Arabian coast of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , March 1904 (folios 212-246); the opinion of the Law Officers' Department that the tribes of the Arabian coast had a right to the exclusive use of the pearl fisheries within a three-mile limit, and any other waters that might justly be considered territorial, February 1905 (folios 203-211); German attempts to gain control over the pearl industry in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , including the importance attached by the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. (Cox) to the operations of Gray, Paul & Company, March 1905 - January 1908 (folios 177-202); the Government of India in favour of direct intervention to secure a British monopoly, June-August 1908 (folios 170-176); enquiries into the pearl fishing industry by Dr Gustav Josef Eduard Levien of Hamburg, April-May 1910 (folios 150-169); papers concerning the alleged depletion of the pearl banks, December 1910 - May 1911 (folios 106-149); further French interest in the pearl fisheries, February-May 1911 (folios 82-105, 66-69); official encouragement for British firms to enter the pearl trade, March-May 1911 (folios 69-81); a proposed investigation into depletion of the pearl banks by James Hornell of the Madras Fisheries Department, June-September 1911 (folios 56-65), and the investigation postponed, February 1912 (folios 42-53); assurances by the rulers of the Arab littoral states that they would not grant concessions to countries other than Britain, November 1911 (folios 54-55), and the texts of the rulers' replies, July-August 1911 (folios 32-41); papers concerning an application to use modern, 'scientific' diving apparatus in the Gulf by Muhammad bin Abdul Wahab Mishari, a director of the Arab Steamship Company in Bombay, and a rumour (denied) of similar interest from the Sultan of Oman, April-November 1912 (folios 11-31); copies of official correspondence from 1857 showing that British officials thought that British subjects did not have any right to fish for pearls on the fishing grounds of the maritime tribes in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , March 1913 (folios 5-6); and American (United States) interest in scientific aspects of the pearl industry in Bahrain, June 1914 (folios 2-4).

The volume includes two Admiralty charts illustrating the pearl fisheries of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , on folio 238 (= IOR/W/L/PS/10/457 (i) and IOR/L/PS/10/457 (ii)), and a map accompanying the report on the Ceylon Pearl Fisheries (folio 278).

The French language content of the file is confined to a single letter (folio 91).

The date range gives the covering dates of the main run of papers (which include extracts of documents from the 1850s onwards), and any other additions to the volume; the Secret Department minute papers enclosing groups of papers are dated 1904-1914.

Each part includes a divider which gives the subject and part numbers, year the subject file was opened, subject heading, and list of correspondence references contained in that part by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence (folio 1).

Extent and format
1 volume (283 folios)
Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the volume.

The subject 2830 ( Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. : Sponge and Pearl Fisheries) consists of two volumes, IOR/L/PS/10/456-457. The volumes are divided into two parts with each part comprising one volume.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 281; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio. The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers, nor does it include the leading and ending flyleaves.

A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.

Written in
English and French in Latin script
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File 2830/1914 Pt 2 'Persian Gulf: Pearl Fisheries. Investigation into Alleged Depletion of Pearl Banks. Germans and the Industry. Concessions, etc.' [‎148r] (304/578), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/457, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100044914344.0x000069> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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