GOVERNMENT EXPERIMENTAL PRAWN PONDS

Mr John Ede asked the Minister for Commerce and Industry whether he will supply details of the total catch of fish, prawns and crabs obtained in the two Government experimental prawn ponds for the period January - October 1956 and the sum realised therefrom; and whether it is anticipated that the catch for the year 1956 will exceed that for 1955.

Mr J. M. Jumabhoy: The total catch was 6,638 katis made up as follows: Fish 946 Katis Crabs 100 Katis Prawns 5,592 Katis

The sum realised therefrom was $7,802.08.

In 1955 the ponds were operated at the maximum level of production in order to determine basic data. It is not expected that the catch for that year will be exceeded in 1956 because experiments during the current year are being conducted on a basis of fewer operations with the object of reducing labour costs and obtaining a more economical yield.