CC111 



The above fish are caught by nets and traps in the sea, rivers, 

 creeks, streams, jhils, ponds, and tanks throughout the year. In 

 the raiuy season, daring the months of June and July, small fish 

 are caught in the fields. The smallest mesh employed is about h 

 an inch square, but the net by which shrimps are taken is roughly 

 woven like cloth, the holes of which are about y^th of an inch 

 in size. The meshes of nets might be regulated without difficulty, 

 according to the description of fish it is desired to take. The 

 ordinary size is from ^ to 8 inches from knot to knot. Prawn 

 nets are not adapted to catch large fish. Screens made of split 

 bamboo, fastened close together, are also used along the banks. 

 P" I believe, as said above, that alterations can easily be intro- 

 duced. I am not aware that there is any economic necessity for 

 it in Arakan, though on general principles it may undoubtedly be 

 desirable." — J. F. J. S"]. As to whether any objections exist against 

 prohibiting the sale of the fry of fishes in the bazars, he continues : — 

 " Prohibition seems to be absolutely necessary. But the fry of 

 fish is of course sold in considerable quantities in the bazars, and 

 is eaten cooked and made into ngapee." £" It is, of course, 

 as I have above remarked, probable that unnecessary destruction 

 results." — J. F. J. S.^. There are no objections against prohibiting 

 the capture of fish in hilly regions during the first two months 

 of the monsoon when they are breeding. [" 1 cannot say ; not 

 so, I think, as to Arakan." — J. F. J. S.]. The Deputy Commissioner 

 in Ramree (July 17th, 1872) observes that the fresh-water fisheries 

 in the district are very insignificant. There are no lakes or ponds, 

 and but four small rivers, in which fresh-water fish are found. Breed- 

 ing-fish and very youn^ ones are not destroyed to any great extent, 

 as the fishing is limited, but to a considerable extent when com- 

 pared with the amount of such fishing ; the breeding ones in November 

 and December by nets, the young ones by making dams and baling out 

 the water ; by bamboo scoops, placing bushes in the stream, and when 

 the STiall fish have got among them, surrounding them with cloths or 

 very fine nets, at all times of the year. The smallest mesh employed 

 is 4 'in inch from knot to knot, but coarse cloth is often used for the 

 smallest nets. No practical difficulty exists in regulating the minimum 

 size; one inch between the knots is proposed. No objections against 

 prohibiting the sale of fry in the bazars, or forbidding fishing for two 

 months in the hilly regions, when the fish go there for breeding pur- 

 poses. The Officiating Deputy Commissioner of Sancloway (July 11th, 

 1872) reports that breeding-fish and very young ones are destroyed in 

 his district by the use of small meshed nets. The young fry are usually 

 taken during August and September in the paddy-fields and small 

 creeks with traps made of bamboo. They are not caught in large 

 quantities, and in this district are rarely sold. The smallest meshed 

 nets upon which a tax is paid are 2 £ inches square, but the nets which 

 are free of tax, and generally used by the people to supply their own 

 wants, have a mesh which is ^thof an inch square. There is no objection 

 whatever to regulating the minimum size, which it is proposed should 

 be |th of an inch between each knot, whilst fry might be prohibited 

 being sold in the bazars. 



