xliv 



would be no difficulty in regulating- its size for the future, beyond the 

 prejudices of the fishing communities, who have never been subjected to 

 any restrictions in the exercise of their calling. There would be no ob- 

 jection to prohibit the sale of the fry of fish in the bazars. The First 

 Assistant Collector reported that at Ahmode there are different ways of 

 catching fish : — (1) — By a net termed nadi by the Bhoees, and bhandar 

 by the Wagris ; it is fixed across the stream, shaped like a wall, and 

 strengthened at intervals by stakes ; these stakes are not stuck into the 

 ground, but tightened by a couple of ropes at either end ; it is sometimes 

 dragged by these ropes along the river. Another very similar one has a 

 bag in the middle ; it is termed soopra-jhal by the Bhoees and beheri 

 by the Wagris. The ordinary cast-net is called hath-jhal by both 

 castes. 



94. The Acting Collector of Kaira (February 7th, 1872) reported 

 . that the rivers in which fresh-water fisheries 



cialsTtheK^raCoUectorate." exist > are the Mhye, Watruck, Sheree, and 



Meshwa. The majority of the population 

 being vegetarians, the principal fish trade is with Baroda, and mostly 

 confined to marine fish which are taken in the tidal waters. The Assist- 

 ant Collector observed, a certain quantity of fry are destroyed, but the 

 supply exceeds the demand. The fishermen claim no exclusive right to the 

 fisheries, and would easily submit to any restrictions imposed by Govern- 

 ment in the way of a " fence season," &c, and such would be no hardship 

 to them. He continued that he is disposed to think that such restrictions 

 would prove of little or no benefit to any one, and are therefore not desir- 

 able. Moreover, he is of opinion "that until the general principles of 

 interference in the fisheries of this country are settled, it would be 

 premature to harass the fishermen by enquiries into the size of the mesh 

 now used in their nets/'' " My own opinion is, that we know too little 

 as yet of the habits of the fresh-water fishes of India to devise any 

 scheme of interference which would be practically operative, 

 it is necessary to ascertain in what months the fish of particular dis- 

 tricts spawn," and this, he continued, he is unable to ascertain, so is 

 opposed to fence-months. 



95. The Collector of Surat reported (May 25th, 1871) that there 

 _ . . are no regular fresh- water fisheries in his 



Opinions of the European offi- •n n t i • i ■ • p n 



cials iu the Surat Collectorate. Zllla '. fish hem S captured in most of the rivers 



running through the talookas, and also in 

 some of the larger tanks. The amount of fish taken is stated to be incon- 

 siderable, Dooblas and other Kallipuruf people of the low aboriginal castes 

 being the chief fishers ; but they do not confine their operations to any 

 particular part of the river, nor do they fish for trade purposes. 

 " Machees" (fishermen by caste) fish generally for retail sale. Govern- 

 ment derive no rent or revenue, as also there are no private rights. Sub- 

 sequently (March 12th, 1872), whilst forwarding the opinions of the 

 Assistant Collectors, he observed that they contained all the information 

 which he had on the subject owing to want of local experience. The 

 Secretary to the Surat Municipality stated that between Variov and the 

 camp there is so little fishing carried on that he is unable to say whether 

 breeding fish or fry are destroyed, but judging from those brought to the 

 markets, he considers they are not. The size of the mesh of the prawn nets 



