CCXXXlll 



and at all seasons. The minimum mesh of nets is stated to be the size of 

 a grain of gram, interference with which would be unpopular. ln the 

 five districts this one answer is given in the lump, whilst the Commis- 

 sioner observes " nor is it necessary :" whether this is the opinion of 

 each of the reporters is left to conjecture.] Were the sale of the fry of 

 fish prohibited, a very large amount of food would be taken from the people. 

 The castes of fishermen are Jalooa, Koebarta, Teor, and Mallow. The local 

 markets are generally fully supplied, and fish is eaten, by fifteen-sixteenths 

 of the population : the amount in the waters has decreased by 

 one-fourth from some unknown causes; very young ones are trapped 

 during the rains in irrigated fields ; snares are likewise employed. In 

 Fnrreedpore, breeding-fish and young ones are said not to be destroyed to 

 any great extent, but some are taken by the hand and various fish traps. 

 The minimum size of the mesh of the nets equals a grain of gram, 

 interference with which would be extremely unpopular (see remarks above), 

 whilst prohibiting the sale of fry would interfere with the food-supply of 

 the people. In Backergunge, breeding-fish and very young ones are not 

 destroyed to any great extent ; the minimum size of the mesh of the nets 

 equals a grain of gram, interference with which would be extremely 

 unpopular (see remarks above), whilst prohibiting the sale of fry is not 

 necessary. In Mymensing, breeding-fish and very young ones are destroyed 

 to a very great extent, which destruction continually goes on in all parts 

 of the district. The minimum size of the mesh of the nets equals a grain 

 of gram ; interference with such would be extremely unpopular (see re- 

 marks above) . Prohibiting the sale of the fry of fish in the bazars 

 " would be a vexatious and altogether unnecessary interference. It would 

 lead to great abuses and oppression, and the prohibition would be directed 

 against an evil which is altogether imaginary, as there is not the least 

 reason to suppose that the sale of the fry of fish has exercised, or 

 can exercise, any injurious effect upon the fish-supply." In Sylhet, 

 breeding-fish and young ones are destroyed to a great extent, and in 

 all parts of the district continually. The minimum size of the mesh 

 of the nets equals a grain of gram ; interference with such would 

 be extremely unpopular (see remarks above). No objections exist against 

 prohibiting the sale of the fry of fish in the bazars. 



408. The Commissioner of Chota Nagpore (October 4th, 1872) 



forwards replies. The Deputy Commissioner of 



Opinions of European Hazareebaugh (July 23rd, 1872) observes that 



Officials in Chota Nag- 



which fish can be caught, viz., the Barrakur, the 



Damoodah, and the Soobunrekha."" During the rains these rivers are 

 too much flooded to be fished, but as they subside, fish are left in the 

 pools, and are then either netted or taken by angling. As a matter of 

 course, the supply of fish is greater just after the break-up of the rains, 

 and gradually falls off as the pools dry up during the hot weather, and 

 their contents have been almost entirely, if not quite, emptied. The 

 supply of fish is confined to the vicinity of these pools, and consequently 

 is not a common article of diet amongst the people of the district. 

 Fish are never dried or salted ; neither are the tanks stocked with young, 

 nor are any privately bred. Basket traps are used which will retain the 

 smallest fry ; some tanks near temples, which are perennial, are never 



