CX V 111 



meshes of nets is desirable, but any introduction of such a regulation 

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

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

 measures necessitating minute interference, it would be made an engine 

 of petty oppression and annoyance, independently of the direct injury 

 to the trade. Close and constant inspection would be requisite to keep 

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

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

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

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

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

 species evidently possessing a remarkable power of reproduction. In 

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

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

 strongly urge that very wide discretion be given to local Governments 

 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 provinces 

 the land-owners claim the right to fishing in the rivers and streams 

 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 be 

 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 very 

 young ones are destroyed to a great extent, es- 



Divi! n COlleCt r f P ecia % durin ? the rains <* immediately after 

 The smallest-sized meshes m use is about one- 

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

 if any difficulty in regulating the minimum size that might be employed, 

 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 one 

 inch as the* fixed standard. " The Tehsildars are all unanimous in reporting 

 that the sale of the fry of fish in bazars might be prohibited without caus- 

 ing any injury, and the prohibition would have the effect of causing larger 

 fish to be brought to the market. In this I concur." The Collector of 

 Bhandara observes, that breeding and very young fish are destroyed to a 

 great extent in tanks, nallas, and rivers, especially in large numbers during 

 the months of April and May, and for the first six weeks of the monsoon. 

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

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

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

 latter places might be laid down at 1J inches. There would be no 

 objection to prohibiting the capture of fish in rivers and nallas during 

 the first two months of the monsoon, at which period alone is fry brought 

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

 and very young fish are destroyed to a great extent in all the larger 

 and smaller streams, in the tanks, jhils, and temporary pools made by 

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



