XXXIV 



that the local markets are insufficiently supplied. In some, however, 

 there is a fair supply of salted or dried fish from the coast, but this does 

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

 markets are either entirely unsupplied, or inadequately so, with fresh fish, 

 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 large and small fish ? it is 



quite clear that the latter, weight for weight, are 



Comparative prices of fish, ^ near] va i ua bl e as the former. As a 

 large and small. . J. . 1 , . , 



general rule, with the increase in the size or a 



fish, its value per pound largely augments; the smaller the fish, the less is its 

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

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

 the case in all. 



As it has been shown that the majority of the people would 

 eat fish could they obtain it, but that the 

 markets are insufficiently supplied to meet the 

 local demands, the next enquiry that suggests 

 itself is, have the fresh-water 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 state 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 stationary, 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 Collectorates we have 

 the following results : 



63. 



The amount of fish have de- 

 creased. 



* Collectors' Eeports. 

 t Mamlutdars' Keports. 



From the foregoing it appears to be very evident that the supply of fish 

 in the fisheries is generally decreasing; only one out of twenty -two 



