Ornamental shell industry of Ramanathapuram coast

Abstract

As many as twelve shell craft Industries established at KeelaVaral and Ramaswaram cater to the demand of the internal and external market of ornamental shells in India and abroad. Several species of molluscan shells which occur in the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay constitute the raw materials for these industries. Apart from very rare SPECISS, 15 important species are regularly exploited for this purpose. The Genus /.a/n^/s commonly known as 'Spider conch' is very Important among them by virtue of its abundance. Of the 9 species of Lambis known from India, only 3 species art abundant in this coast Exploitation of these shells are mostly by skin diving and to a limited extent by trawl, gill and drag nets employed mainly to catch finfishes, lobsters and crabs. This paper mainly deals on the ornamental, curious and religious values of molluscan shells, their Industry, types of shells and species used by the industry, varied products, marketing, employment opportunities and certain aspects of costs and earning of the industry.