C1X 



221. Trapping fish is reported by two Tehsildars ; one observes 



that this does not take place in his district, 



Trapping and snaring, dam- but on this point the others are silent. Snares 



mingup and lading out waters, appear, however, to be universally in use. 



reported." 3 poisomilg them ' 1S Damming and lading out, or poisoning pieces 



of water in order to obtain the contained fish, is 

 almost universal. 



222. As regards prohibiting the sale of fry in the bazars, the 



Deputy Commissioner of Akola considers it 



But little difficulty would ex- WO uld be difficult to discriminate which were 

 ist in prohibiting the sale or fry . 

 in the bazars. the try ; on that head alone he would rather 



regulate the mesh of the nets. In Buldana 

 it is considered that at first it would be unpopular, but the advantages of 

 this restriction would soon make themselves apparent to all ; in the other 

 districts that no difficulties exist, except that it would temporarily de- 

 crease the gains of persons who make a livelihood by catchiug fry during 

 the rains. 



220. The following opinions have been advanced respecting 



whether there is or is not a necessity for a 

 Opinion as to whether protec- measure of protection to be afforded to the 

 tive measures are required. i . . 



hsh. the Officiating Commissioner, \Vest 



Berar, considers there is nothing to prevent the imposition of rules for 



the preservation of the immature and breeding fish, and that some of 



a general kind are called for. In Akola it is doubted whether it would 



be worth while to legislate on these points, as fish are so scarce ; but there 



would be no difficulty in regulating the size of the meshes of the nets. 



The other five Deputy Commissioners observe that there would be no 



difficulty in such regulations. 



221. As rules of a general kind appear to be desired, the next 



question is, how would such affect the fishermen 



fisSrda°sses. rUl6S ^^ tbG classes ? The Commissioner of West Berar 



observes, " whatever restrictions may be im- 

 posed, no class of people will be so affected as to interfere with their 

 means of livelihood, nor does any portion of the community depend on fish 

 as an article of food ; therefore remedial measures found necessary will not 

 even be hard or distressing to any class of people." This opinion, how- 

 ever, varies from some of the Deputy Commissioners who consider that if 

 fence-months were introduced, some of the fishermen would be put to great 

 hardships. 



225. As regards the minimum size of the mesh of the nets that 



should in future be permitted, four of the 



Proposals regarding the mini- officia ) s cons id e r that it should not be less 



mum size of meshes of nets that ,. . , ,, . . " . 



should be allowed. than one inch between the knot and knot of 



the meshes, and one that the minimum size 

 should be 1| inches. 



226. These reports appear to show, (1) that a considerable propor- 



n , . c „ „ „ tion of the people would eat fish could they 



Conclusions from the follow- i , • ,~\ A , ,i , ■ m 



ing reports. obtain it ; (s) that the markets are insuffi- 



ciently supplied ; (3) that the amount of fish 

 in the rivers and tanks is decreasing ; (4) that the fisheries are Govern- 

 ment property ; (5) that the fishermen, as a class, have other avocations as 



