CXVIU 



nieslies of nets in ilesiiaLle, but auy iiitroJiictioa of such a regulation 

 would be so fraught with annoyance and vexation to the lishing classes, 

 that Mr. Morris would deprecate any action in the matter. Like all 

 measures necessitating minute interference, it would be made an engine 

 of lietty oppression and annoyance, independently of the direct injury 

 to the trade. Close and constant inspection would be requisite to keej) 

 the nets up to the standard, and the uses to which the opportunities 

 thus given to petty ollicials would be put can easily be imagined. 

 Moreover, it does not appear that, as yet, there is any decrease in tlu^ 

 number of fish, and it may be that a very considerable number of tin; 

 small lish caught are not young fry, but full-grown fish of small 

 species evidently possessing a remarkalde power of reproduction. In 

 case, then, the Government of India deems that legislation in the 

 mutter of fisheries is called for, the Chief Commissioner would most 

 strongly urge that very wide discretion be given to local Goverimients 

 in framing of rules. No attempt, he thinks, should be made to embody 

 such rules in the Act. The amount of hardship attendant on such 

 restrictive measures is only known when the measures come into force, 

 and if local Administrations are left unfettered, the rules can be adapted 

 to the case of each district or river. In some portions of these province> 

 the land-owners claim the right to lishing- in the rivers and stream.-; 

 running through their estates, and receive fees from fishermen resorting; 

 to them. No enquiry has been made as to the nature of such rights 

 or to the period since which they have been exercised. It may br 

 necessary to do so if the Government should determine on legislative 

 regulation of the fisheries. 



258. The Collector of Nagpur believes that breeding fish and ver> 



young ones are destroyed to a great extent, es 

 Oi.imon of tl,e Collector of g^,;.,!! ai,n„„.the rains or immediately after, 

 tUo Nugpui- Divibiou. 1 •' 11 , • 1 1 • • 1 . 



The smallest-sized meslies in use is about one- 



fourth of an inch in circumference, he considers that there would be little 

 if any ditliculty in regulating the minimum size that might be emploj-ed 

 and would recommend that it should not be less than three-fourths of an 

 inch between knot and knot, but it would be more advisable to take om 

 inch as the llxed standard. " The Tehsildars are all unanimous in reportint^ 

 that the sale of the iV}' of fish in bazars might be prohibited wilhout caus- 

 ing any injury, and the prohibition would have the ellect of causing largei 

 fish to be brought to the market. In this I concur." The Collector <>/ 

 Bhanilara observes, that breeding and very young iish are destroyed to ; 

 great extent in tanks, uallas, and rivers, especially in large numbers duriiii.' 

 the months of April and IMay, and for the first six weeks of the monsoon 

 The smallest mesh employed is one-sixth of an inch. There would be difli 

 culty in regulating the minimum size of the mesh of nets to be employci 

 in tank fishing', but not so much in rivers and nallas ; that to be used in tl^ 

 latter places might be laid down at IJ inches. There would be ii^ 

 objection to prohibiting' the capture of iish in rivers and nallas duriii; 

 the first two months of the monsoon, at which jieriod alone is fry brongb 

 to the markets for sale. The Collector of Chanda replies, that breedin; 

 and very j'oung fish are destroj'ed to a great extent in all the largei 

 and smaller streams, in the tanks, jhils, and temporary pools made b; 

 damming up rice-fields and nallas in the rainy season. Small fish ar. 



