lix 



117. The native officials in the Colaba Collectorate report as 



follows : — The Mamluldar of Alibog gives the 

 Opinions of native officials in fi s h ermen a t 2,000, the majority pursuing other 

 e o a a o occupations; their castes are Koli and Bhoee, 



both Marathas. Fresh-water fish are not brought for sale ; one-half the 

 population eat fish, whilst the supply has remained stationary. Very small 

 ones are taken by snares, by " Bhokshee," a round cane basket with a hole 

 at the top ; Koin, Bugadee, and Buggala, whilst the smallest mesh of the 

 nets is only sufficient to admit a large needle. Fish are trapped in the 

 irrigated fields during the rains. The various modes of fishing employed 

 are, killing with sticks, damming up and lading out water, snaring, 

 poisoning, and netting. The Mamlutdar of Penn states, the fishermen 

 are 4,000, most of whom pursue other callings as well; their caste is Koli. 

 The local markets are fully supplied with sea-fish ; seven-eighths of the 

 people are fish-eaters, the supply of which has remained stationary of 

 late. Very small ones are captured to a great extent during- the rains 

 by snares and basket traps. The smallest mesh of the nets is given at 

 one-quarter of an inch. Fish are trapped in the irrigated fields during the 

 rains. Damming is reported to be carried on in this talooka. The 

 Mamlutdar of lioha observes that there are 200 fishermen, who mostly 

 pursue other occupations in his talooka ; their castes are Koli and Bhoee, 

 both Marathas. Fresh-water fish are not brought to market ; one-half of 

 the population eat fish, the supply of which has remained stationary. The 

 smallest sized mesh of the nets is one-third of an inch, and fish are trapped 

 in the irrigated fields during the rains. The Mamlutdar of Man gam 

 computes the fishermen at 500, most of whom have also other employ- 

 ments ; they are Koli and Bhoee, both Marathas. Fresh-water fish are not 

 brought to market ; three-fourths of the people eat fish, the supply of 

 which has remained stationary of late. Very small ones are captured 

 during the rains in cane baskets, whilst the minimum mesh of the nets 

 is one-quarter of an inch. Fish are trapped in the irrigated fields 

 during the rains. The Mamlutdar of Mhar gives the fishermen at 100, of 

 the Bhoee caste. The local markets are fully supplied with marine fish ; 

 three-quarters of the people are fish-eaters ; the supply of late years has 

 remained stationary. Very small and other fish are trapped and caught 

 during the rains ; the smallest sized mesh is given at one inch (in circum- 

 ference ?) 



118. The Mamlutdars of Satara report that the number of fisher- 

 men in the several talookas of the district 



JRSS&SZSF* '" ™ ries from t 6 10 700 < m ° st of r hom foIlow 



other occupations as coolies and agricultural 

 labourers, and their castes are Bhoees and Kolis. Sometimes Mahomedans 

 and Conbus also take fish for their own use. The local markets are not 

 fully supplied with fish, and the proportion of people who consume it 

 varies in the different talookas from 25 to 96 per cent. The amount of 

 late years has decreased ; small ones are taken in large quantities during 

 the rains by netting, hooks, &c, whilst the minimum mesh of the nets 

 is one-eighth of an inch in circumference (one thirty-second part of an 

 inch between knot and knot) . Fish are not trapped in irrigated fields 

 during the rains. Fishing is carried on by various descriptions of nets, 

 by angling, and by diverting the natural course of a stream so as to 



