‘DOB ARCHIVES
18
all other edible marine fauna will be eagerly sought.
The
Tridacna and other large shellfisn are especially prized by
these people.
The largest numbers of these animals are
said to have been found in the reef area of Nam and continuing down to the end of Bokdrolul Island and the tip of this
long,
continuous reef.
Island to south of Nam,
This includes the area from Bokbata
where large atomic blasts occurred.
Two islands were destroyed and a large area of the reef was
blown out.
What effect this had on the shellfish population
{s unknown.
It 1s logical to assume that many of these
creatures were killed either during the blasts'or as a result
of the change
in their environment after the blasts occurred,
Another important habitat for shellfish,
especically Tridacna,
was said to have been the reef area around the islands of
Luk6j and Jelete,
mentioned area.
which Jie to tne southeast of the previously
These islands are also important as a@ source
of birds and their eges,
as well as turtles and turtle egprs.
Utilization of the smaller islands of the atoll will of
course require transportation.
Some of these can be reached on
foot from the neighboring large islands,
but many of these
islands are isolated and water transportation 18S necessary.
The relocatees will need a number of large sailing canoes
and smaller paddling canoes.
foot
A small schooner,
type used throughout the Marshalls,
of the fifty-
will probably also be
needed to move between the large islands of the atoll.
smaller craft are not able to carry much cargo.
The
Adequate