vlll 



20. In addition I would suggest to the foregoing (paragraphs 10 



.,,.,. , L , and 33). the owners of mills in hill streams 



Additional ones suggested. " 



should make obstructions, as matted gratings, 



at the commencement of their c kools' or canals, which would prevent the 

 entrance of young fish now so extensively destroyed therein. Fish-passes 

 should be placed in all ascents in irrigation canals or at weirs, and the 

 destruction of fish when the canals are closed should be strictly prohibit- 

 ed. Close seasons would probably only be required along the hilly ranges, 

 and netting might be prohibited in a few deep pools in the hill streams 

 during the dry months. Trapping fish, or having fixed engines for taking 

 them, should be prohibited, at least between April and November, and 

 even then the interstices in substances forming traps should be equal to 

 the minimum size permitted between the knots of the meshes of nets. 



21. The following are condensed from the opinions of the European 

 Contents of the following sy- and Native officials of the Panjab, received 



nopsis of papers received from either in 18G9-70, or else in answer to the 

 the Panjab. questions circulated in September 1871. 



22. The Officiating Secretary to the Government of the Panjab 



(July 1 6th, 1872) reports that there are 10,450 

 Officiating Secretary to the fishermen in the province, but in no district 



Panjab Government. Summary i ,1 , p n a \ • _ ^u„4„ i„ 



of opinions received from the d ° the ^. Seem *° f « lloW fishm ^ aS thelV S ° le 



local officials of the province. occupation. The fishermen castes are mostly 



Jewars, Machis, Kahars, and Kashmiris: those 

 who also engage in fishing are Jats, Sunnias, Mains, Jhils, Singharis, 

 Maithans, Pakhiwaras, Julahas, Jhabails, Sukkais, Mullahs, Dindars, 

 Magus, Dhunniahs, Beluchis, Rahras, Pathans, Khokars, Bhattis, 

 Manjiis, Jhabals, Pan wars, Patries, and Mahanas. Fish are largely eaten, 

 the cost of the better sorts bearing the same proportion to that of the 

 best mutton, as the price of inferior fish to that of inferior mutton, and 

 varies from one-third that of mutton to an equal price with it. Under 

 the present licensing system \\ inches square is the smallest size of 

 mesh permissible to use ; previous to its introduction large numbers 

 of young fish were sold as " chilwas," and met with a ready sale. 

 Even now in some districts very fine meshed nets are locally employed. 

 The greatest destruction takes place after the rains, when the floods 

 subside, leaving large quantities of small fish in the fields. It is 

 generally considered that prohibiting the sale of fry in the bazar 

 would entail no difficulty and but little hardship. The markets as a 

 rule are well supplied (see para. 5), the new regulations are admitted, on 

 all hands to have had a good effect in preserving the fish, whilst the 

 fishermen have decreased. Probably due to the late hot seasons, no 

 marked increase has yet been observed in the amount of fish. Several 

 officers advise a close season during July and August. One and a quarter 

 inches between knot and knot of the meshes of nets is generally con- 

 sidered the smallest that should be allowed. On the whole the reports 

 show that the present system of licenses is working well, 

 though the following additional measures might with advantage be 

 taken for the preservation of the fisheries. To enjoin two close 

 months, July and August; in districts where fish are very plentiful, 

 to impose some limit on the amount of fish which may be caught 

 under each license ; to prohibit the sale of fry in the bazars, and that 



