'File 17/16 Fish Industry in Muscat (Dr. Bertram's Visit to Muscat)' [‎14v] (28/212)

skippers alike with a pool of information, so that such detailed
returns may not he essential. In Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. waters AIOC should
insist on the proper recording of every item of information because
it is all new and therefore valuable. The recording of negative
evidence too should throughout be insisted upon.
Considerable experiment will be advisable over a long
period with different types of gear once the Company’s own fishr
ing vessel(s) is at work. It is probably true to say that gener
ally in the wanner seas of the world, a greater proportion of the
more valuable fish live in shoals in the surface waters, while in
the colder seas the better fish tend to be bottom livers. As a
result of this difference in habit, it may well be that the trawl
will gradually be found to be a less useful catching mechanism in
tropical waters than it has proved to be in temperate and cold water
areas. The purse-seine, ring-net and lampara (using lights at
night) may v/ell be_ found more successful than trawling. Again
experience alone can tell. The initiative of the skipper and the
careful recording of results in the earlier stages must clearly be
of great importance.
It is understood that there are a number of trawls lying
unused, and unlikely to be used, at the Persian Government’s fish
factory An East India Company trading post. at Bundar Abbas, AIOC may perhaps see fit to negotiate to
obtain these at a low rate.. Long storage at Gulf temperatures must^
gradually lead to deterioration. , <
NOTE VIII.
BOAT BUILDING AT KUWEIT.
Kuweit is famed throughout the Indian ocean and Arab seas
fur its dhows. It is said that more and better dhows are built
there than at any other place un the whole coast of Ar 4 bia. AIOC
has had launches built at Kuweit and has confidence in the ability
of the Guilders to fashion a trawler to the desired specifications.
At present the Kuweit builders seem to be fully occupiodi
with large assembly contracts for the Inland Water Transport author
ities. _ I was given to understand that at present any building for g
AIOC might ^ involve a question of relative priorities. At Kuweit < ~
too I was informed that there is no?/ available there insufficient
timber (teak from India) to undertake a trawler for AIOC and that
the Company would have to make arrangements for special import from
India. . ^
Thus the speedy building at Kuweit of a trawler appears
to present a variety of difficulties.
NOTE IX.
THE TRAWLER NOR ABADAN.
Since return from Abadan the turn of events and informa
tion available suggests that further representations in London for
the release of a trawler for AIOC use might now lead to a favourable
response. Even so the vessel from U.K. would require considerable
modification before being fit for Service at Abadan.
_ It must I think be evident that the goal should be a
vessel fitted with full refrigeration and the power to freeze and
store / .,.