CORRESPONDENCE. 667 



PROPOSED INVESTIGATION AND PROTECTION OF THE 

 FISHERIES OF WESTERN INDIA. 



The following correspondence between the Society and the Bombay Govern- 

 ment on the above subject is published for the information of members. 

 Since then more information has come to hand showing that the Madras 

 Government have established a Fishery Bureau, presided over by Sir Frederick 

 Nicholson, k.c.i.e., i.e.?., and the Bengal Government have issued a lengthy 

 report on the Results of Enquiry into the Fisheries of Bengal, compiled by 

 Mr. K. G. Gupta, I.C.S., and have obtained from Europe a Steam-trawler for 

 experimental fishing in the Bay of Bengal. 



It is hoped, therefore, that both for economic and scientific reasons the 

 Bombay Government will be able to see their way to carry out the suggested 

 investigation and protection of such an important industry to the people of 

 Western India. 



(Copy.) 



b, Apollo Street, 



Bombay, llth March 1907. 

 Fron* 



The Honorary Secretary, 



Bombay Natural History Society, 



Bombay : 



To 



The Secretary to Government, 



General Department, 



Bombay. 

 Sik,— I am directed by my Committee to forward to the Bombay Govern- 

 ment the accompanying copies of two papers on "Estuary Fishing in Western 

 India " and on " Protective Legislation for Indian Fisheries " which have just 

 appeared in this Society's Journal, with the hope that Government may be able 

 to see their way to introduce some legislation for the protection of the Fishing 

 Industry in Western India. My Committee instructed me to say that they 

 considered that the subject is of urgent importance as from the evidence given 

 they believe that without some legislation, the creek and river fishing industry 

 on this side of India is threatened with extinction. I am to add that although 

 the precise scope of the enquiries are not known to them, my Committee 

 observe with pleasure that the Madras Government have recently decided to 

 investigate the general subject of fisheries in that Presidency. 



My Committee instruct me to finally say that as the beneficial results of any 

 effective legislation, if introduced, would be apparent in most creeks and rivers 

 in a very few years, it seems probable that the fishing classes would speedily 

 learn to fully appreciate any such measure. 



I have the honour to be, 

 Sir, 

 Your most obedient Servant, 

 (Sd.) W. S. Millard, 

 Honorary Secretary, 

 Bombay Natural History Society. 



