Studies on the pearl oyster population in pearl oyster grounds off Tuticorin in the Gulf of Mannar

Details of the inspection of pearl oyster grounds and pearl oyster collection (mainly Pinctada fucata) for the period from 1977 to 1986 are presented In this paper. The favourable season for diving operations in this area normally sets in from October and in May in the subsequent year. During 1977-1986 forty four pearl banks or Paars' in the Gulf of Manner were inspected. A record number of 4,42 321 P. fucata were collected during the year 1985-1986, followed by 3,19,718 in 1984-1985 and 2,10,955 in 1981-1982. In 1981-1982 Utti paar supported the collections mainly by contributing 94.28% of the total oysters gathered. During 1984-1985 Devi paar (24.68%), Fernando paar (20.93%), Cruxian paar (24.10%) and Kara! paar (29.39%) together contributed 9810% of the total collections. In 1985-1986 season' from Cruxian paar alone, 94.34% of the P. fucata were collected SCUBA-diving was effectively employed along with skin diving during 1984-1985 and 1985-1986 seasons