INDIAN FISH AND FISHING. 13 



eatable or valuable species. Occasionally artificial baits are 

 also made use of. For embarking upon these last descrip- 

 tions of fishing, a large capital is unnecessary, at least in 

 such districts where catamarans or rafts are employed. 

 When line fishing is carried on off coral reefs, as at the 

 Andamans, large numbers of hooks are lost, due to the 

 hooked fish dashing into or below the coral, when the lines 

 become severed. In certain places, as^ at Kurrachee, for 

 line fishing, moderately sized boats are employed, prawns 

 being considered the most killing bait. In some boats 

 captured fish are opened, cleaned and salted while at sea, 

 and in others the whole of this process is carried out on 

 shore. This is especially the case along the western coast 

 of India, because the fisherman can obtain salt at Goa 

 or other foreign settlements at A^\d. to 6d. a maund (82| 

 lb.), take it out to sea, capture and salt his fish there, and 

 then run in and dispose of them at a British port. 



The salt-water fisheries of India and Burmah are carried 

 on by means of various contrivances from the most primitive 

 to elaborate labyrinths ; also in many other ways in the deep 

 sea. Without entering upon a detailed description of each, 

 with the variations noted in the several districts, perhaps it 

 may be better to briefly advert to the chief characteristics 

 observed. 



First, there are tidal fisheries, the most primitive type of 

 which is when pounds are constructed, or tidal ponds made 

 use of, where the fish which enter with the flood are left 

 impounded on the ebb occurring ; from such a place they 

 sometimes have to be removed by scoop, lave, cast, or other 

 nets ; or a very rough stonework may be employed to bar 

 the outlet to the fish, but through the interstices of which the 

 water is able to escape. Bamboo, rattan, reed, or other 

 screens constructed in various ways may also be used to 



