C1X 



221. Trapping fish is reported by two Tehsildars ; one observes 



that this does not take place in his district, 



Trapping and snaring, dam- but on this point the others are silent. Snares 

 mingup and lading out waters, appear, however, to be universally in use. 

 reported." 9 ^ Damming and lading out, or poisoning pieces 



of water in order to obtain the contained fish, is 

 almost universal. 



222. As regards prohibiting the sale of fry in the bazars, the 



Deputy Commissioner of Akola considers it 



faMSW-Zrf* would be difficult to discriminate which were 

 in the bazars. "the fry ; on that head alone he would rather 



regulate the mesh of the nets. In Buldana 



it is considered that at first it would be unpopular, but the advantages of 

 this restriction would soon make themselves apparent to all; in the other 

 districts that no difficulties exist, except that it would temporarily de- 

 crease the gains of persons who make a livelihood by catching fry during 

 the rains. 



223. The following opinions have been advanced respecting 



whether there is or is not a necessity for a 



m r u of p tect r to n be affor ded to w th : 



fish. Ine Umciatmg Commissioner, West 

 Berar, considers there is nothing to prevent the imposition of rules for 

 the preservation of the immature and breeding fish, and that some of 

 a general kind are called for. In Akola it is doubted whether it would 

 be worth while to legislate on these points, as fish are so scarce ; but there 

 would be no difficulty in regulating the size of the meshes of the nets. 

 The other five Deputy Commissioners observe that there would be no 

 difficulty in such regulations. 



224. As rules of a general kind appear to be desired, the next 



question is, how would such affect the fishermen 



* would rules affect the u ? The Commissioner of West Berar 

 fishing classes. .. , . . . . , 



observes, " whatever restrictions maj be im- 

 posed, no class of people will be so affected as to interfere with their 

 means of livelihood, nor does any portion of the community depend on fish 

 as an article of food ; therefore remedial measures found necessary will not 

 even be hard or distressing to any class of people/'' This opinion, how- 

 ever, varies from some of the Deputy Commissioners who consider that if 

 fence-months were introduced, some of the fishermen would be put to great 

 hardships. 



225. As regards the minimum size of the mesh of the nets that 



should in future be permitted, four of the 



Proposals regarding the mini- o ffi c j a i s con sider that it should not be less 

 mum size of meshes of nets that ,, i i JIT iij< 



should be allowed. than one inch between the knot and knot ot 



the meshes, and one that the minimum size 

 should be 1J inches. 



226. These reports appear to show, (1) that a considerable propor- 



tion of the people would eat fish could they 



^^ & '> ( 2 ) that the markets are insuffi - 

 ciently supplied ; (3) that the amount of fish 



in the rivers and tanks is decreasing ; (4) that the fisheries are Govern- 

 ment property -, (5) that the fishermen, as a class, have other avocations as 



