XXXIX 



i however, must be excluded the fresh-water fisheries along the 

 sea-coast south of Bombay, some of which appear to be valuable j and 

 the Collector of North Canara reports that they are Government pro- 

 perty, except in those tanks formed by private 'persons at their own 



:he number of fishermen, the answers again become 

 vague, except in Broach, where they are com- 

 puted at 390. 



7S. The mature fish are said to be trapped in the irrigated fields 

 during the rains, except where only 'well-irri- 





ae of the 

 mete that are tu.jM.; v t ,d. 



The fry also are reported to be destroyed to a large extent 

 during or after the rains, in most of those 

 talookas from which answers have been re- 

 ceived. 



80. The following returns have been 

 jiven of the minimum size of the inesh of 

 nets employed : 



s out of 10 leUuna, three reporters give the minimum size of the 

 mesh of the nets to be about that of mosquito nets, and all the rest 

 at or less than one-third of an inch between knot and knot. 



81. The modes of fishing in the fresh waters of these sea-coast 

 districts hardly vary from those more inland. 



Modei of Mn^, Nets of all forms and sizes are employed, some 



being fixed, others not so. Dams are erected 



ad openings made, where nets or basket traps are placed, so as to capture 

 every fish. In the Cokba, Eotnaghari, and North Canara Collectorates 

 fish are also said to be killed by poison, whilst in Kaira torch-fishing by 

 Bight appeals to be carried on. 



I: would appear from the foregoing that in the fresh-water 

 fisheries of the coast districts (1) the propor- 

 tion of people who eat fish is less than in 

 the inland districts ; (2) that the markets 

 which are sufficiently supplied with fish obtain them from the sea ; (3) 

 tint the fresh-water fish appear to be stationary or decreasing ; (4 ) that 

 the fisheries are Government property ; (5) that there are no restrictions 

 as to the modes of fishing; (6) that breeding fish are trapped ; (7) that 

 fry are killed wherever obtainable ; (8) that nets with minute meshes 

 employed to destroy small fish ; (9) that wicker traps are in use ; 

 dot streams are dammed ; (11 ) that waters are poisoned, and (12) 

 that torch-light fishing is pursued, at least in one CoUeetorate. 



