WEALTH ON REEFS

Evening Star, Issue 19779, 1 February 1928, Page 6

WEALTH ON REEFS

TURTLES, PEARLS, AND SPONGES. An expedition is coming; to Australia, shortly from England, which may have the effect of opening up fresh fields e r exploitation so far as part of the continent is concerned. It will make investigation into new industries which could” be established along the northeastern coast-line to develop trade in turtles, pearl shell, and sponges. The economic possibilities of the Barrier Reef will form an important part of the inquiries. The world’s supplies of pearl shell are falling off, and if supplies on reef could be regulated on an economic basis, it would mean a great deal to Australian industry. While turtles are already a marketable commodity in the form of canned soup, great extension could be made, and, according to Professor David, who has just returned from England, there arc great possibilities. More important still, it is intended to investigate thoroughly the growth of sponges along the Barrier Reef, and if conditions are found to be favorable sponges from Turkey and the Levant, which are world-famed for their quality, will be brought over and transplanted in Australian waters, the effect of which may be to establish an entirely new industry, which will be worth hundreds of thousands of pounds in years to come.