XXXIV 



that tlic local markets are insufficiently snpjilied. In some, however, 

 there is a fair bupjily of salted or dried iisli from the coast, hut this does 

 not affect the g-eneral enquiry. In short, it is self-evident that the local 

 markets are either entirely unsup])lied, or inadequately so, with fresh lish, 

 except occasionally, as during the rains, when young' ones and those breed- 

 ing can be destroyed by traps or any clumsy contrivance. 



62. As regards the market prices of targe and small Jhh ? it is 



quite clear that the latter, weight for weight, are 

 Comparativo p.iecB of fiBh, ^^^ ,^g^j., ^^ valuable as the former. As a 

 largo aud small. , •' -.i ,1 ■ • .1 • c 



general ride, with the increase in tlie size or a 



fish, its value per pound largely aug-ments; the smaller the fish, the less is its 

 price per pound. Although the comjiarative price of mutton and fish 

 appears in some districts to have a relative value, such does not seem to be 

 the case in all. 



63. As it has been shown that the majority of the people wonld 



eat fish could they obtain it, but that the 

 Tho amount of fish have de- „,.„.i,^,tg ^^^ insufficiently supplied to meet the 



local demands, the next enquiry that sug-gests 

 itself is, have the fresh-ivaler fish in the rivers and tanks increased, 

 decreased, or remained stationary of late years ? Twenty-two distinct 

 answers to this question have been received from the native officials, 

 comprising one who considers they have increased, fourteen who report 

 they have decreased, and seven who assert they have remained sta- 

 tionary. In Ahmenabad one reports an increase, one a decrease^ and two 

 a stationary stat« of the fisheries ; in Khandeish, Nasik, Ahmednuggur, 

 Satara, and Sholapur, only a decrease is given ; in Belgaum one asserts a 

 decrease, another that the fisheries are stationaiy, which latter is also 

 the report from Kaladgi : whilst in Darwar seven report a decrease, and 

 three a stationary state of affairs. Thus in nine CoUectorates we have 

 the following results : — 



• Collectors' Reporla. 

 t Mmiilutdars' llL-porta. 



From llic f()rc*,'*()ino- ii.appears to lie very evitlcni tliai ilio sujijily of fisli 

 la the iisJioriea ia g-eneriilly decreasing; only one out of twenty-two 



