I38 MADRAS FISHERIES BULLETIN VOL. Xll, 



Night lines. — Fixed stakes to which night lines are attached can 

 be seen in large numbers protruding from the banks of the river, 

 islands, etc., from Munjikundy to below Sundapatti. 



Dynamite. — At Pallaloor and Mel Parali, there were quantities 

 of big fish scales, in heaps on the banks of the river near to very 

 deep pools and no trace of any traps. This points to some 

 explosive having been used and most probably dynamite. In cases 

 of poison, the fish are collected (as they sicken) down the stream. 

 With an explosive, they are gathered while stunned at the foot 

 of pool operated on. In this latter case it is natural to find the 

 scales as described above. 



Wholesale waste of immature fish earn pared -with value as food- 

 supply. — The fry that are captured on the highest reaches are 

 so exceedingly small, that it must take a very large quantity to be 

 of any use for a single meal for a man. These people thus take a 

 heavy toll of the future stock of the river in this way, and in return 

 get an infinitesimally small amount of food compared with the 

 number of fish killed. 



The local inhabitant's one idea is to get as many fry as he can 

 and by any means, regardless of the future supply. 



He knows their natural instinct to move down-stream and does 

 his utmost to make the traps effective to prevent any escape. 



Value of the big fish as food-supply when captured just after spawn- 

 ing. — The amount of wholesale food obtained from " spent " fish 

 is small and entirely confined to the male fish. Although the male 

 goes slightly out of condition, the loss of his milt does not 

 affect him so seriously as the depositing of the eggs by the female. 



The flesh of a female at this period is unwholesome and not fit 

 for human consumption. 



Methods suggested to prevent wholesale slaughter 



of fish in the bhavani. 



(i) I suggest the first step to be taken to bring this river back 

 to its full fish-bearing capacity is to enforce the Act re " fixed 

 engines." 



(2) To do this, it will be advisable to appoint watchers to 

 reside in and watch the area where fry and mature fish traps are 

 constructed. 



(3) To make it an offence to capture fry by any means on or just 

 below spawning beds. 



