( 117 ) 



take care of themselves. Nothing will he gained in regulat- 

 ing the size of the mesh of nets in waters that yearly dry up, 

 and after all communication icith running water has naturally 

 ceased. Neither should regulations extend to private ponds 

 that never communicate with running water, and stand in 

 the light of fish ponds in Europe. Moveable contrivances 

 (para. LXX) made of inelastic substances, as fine split 

 bamboos fastened together and forming a sort of net, are most 

 destructive, and regulations regarding the interstices between 

 each piece of the substance of which they are formed are 

 desirable. 



CXXIX. — There are other local means of destruction 



pursued (para. LXXVIII), several of 



Minor modes of fishing. -i • 1 i -t 1 i 



which are most reprehensible, and 

 may well be made penal by local bye-laws, especially fixing 

 hooks or lines and snagging or snatching at fish. But many 

 of the plans pursued which are considered poaching in Europe, 

 I would suggest, should not be interfered with, at least at pre- 

 sent. The greater evils had first better be grappled with, 

 leaving the minor ones for future consideration. 



CXXX. — Vermin, as crocodiles, are most injurious 



(paras. LXXIXtoLXXXIl) and their 

 destruction very desirable. If the fish 

 are preserved, these great foes to them should not be permitted 

 to live upon this species of food which is adapted for human 

 beings; also otters are very ruinous to hill fisheries and those 

 in their vicinity. 



CXXXI. — Lastly, I would shortly draw attention to the 



following question that, — if anything 

 Who is to w for regulations, j d t improve the fisheries, who is 



it any are to be carried out. . * . ' 



to pay for it r Are the fisheries to be 

 improved for the good of the fishermen at the public expense, 

 and are they to pocket the increased numbers of the finny 

 tribes, but not pay towards such a result ? In Great Britain, a 

 tax (the moturfa) has been imposed for this purpose on all 

 instruments used for taking fish, but in India angling may 

 well be left free. There are three chief modes by which 

 funds maybe raised for this purpose, — (1) by again letting 

 the fisheries, as of old, to contractors under certain specified 

 stipulations, such as the size of the mesh of the nets to be em- 

 ployed, the protection of certain stock-pools, &c, and leaving 

 them to protect the fisheries ; this will save a great outlay, but 

 to be effectually carried out, leases of from three to five years 

 will be necessary ; (2) nets may be licensed, as in the Punjab, 



