Anglo-Egyptian 129 FISHERIES sirroe and the barracouta , which are most in request for the market, and run to 40 lb. in weight. There are many clupeid (herring-like) fish in theharbourof Port Sudan, and outside, which also are marketable ; the best known of these is Harengula punctata.

Salted fish is a recognised article of commerce ; 216 tons were exported to Egypt in 1914, and 296 tons in 1915. The' export includes salted freshwater fish from the White Nile near Khartum . The chief demand for salted fish is from the Egyptian Copts. The Red Sea pearl-shell fishery is of long standing. In former times, pearls only were fished for, but the indiscriminate way in in which the oysters were collected ruined the industry. The present fishery is on a smallscale, and concerned in the main with pearl shell (mother -of-pearl) only , though a few pearls are still found . The Sudan pearl-oyster (Meleagrina margaritifera) is a species allied to, but distinct from , the more famous Ceylon pearl-oyster (M. vulgaris ). Unlike the latter, the Red Sea oyster is a solitary species, individuals occurring singly or in small groups over the pearling grounds-a fact to be taken into account in any attempt to establish an industry of commercial importance.

The present industry is carried on chiefly between Suakin and Jibuti . The shells are obtained in comparatively shallow water by native divers un provided with apparatus. The market price is about £80 per metric ton. Oyster-breeding begins in April and attains its maximum in May or June. The trade movement of oyster shells in Sudan ports is about 200 tons per annum , which no doubt could be largely increased should a demand arise .

A biological investigation into the marine resources of the Sudan Red Sea littoral was undertaken by the Khedivial Government in 1904. Among the practical results of this work were the prohibition of the collection of shells less than 12 cm . (43in .) indiameter; the establishment of breeding grounds for increasing the number of oysters; and proposals for the cultiva