GENERAL

FISH AND FISHERIES

Scope for Development

Fisheries in Bhir district are mostly confined to the river Godavari which flows along the northern border of the district. The small rivers in the district viz. Sindphana, Bendsura, Kundaka, Wan, Manjra, Ekdara, Govardhan, Bajura and Gulathi seasonally dry up in summer as a result of which the scope of development of fisheries is restricted. Some of the Government tanks and those in charge of local bodies in Bhir, Ashti and Ambejogai tahsils are being stocked with major carps imported from Calcutta to augment the supply of fish and provide some employment to the local fishermen when they are leased out to them.

Construction of Bendsura project in Bhir tahsil and Rooti, Talwar and Kambli projects in Ashti tahsil have created a new field for piscicultural activities and completion of Sindphana, Mahakari. Mahasangvi, Kada and other irrigation projects in the district is expected to widen the scope of development of fisheries in the district.

Fishing Communities

Except in a few villages of Georai and Manjlegaon tahsils along the banks of the river Godavari the population of fishermen is scattered in the district and fishing is carried on as a part-time job. The principal occupation of the fishermen is agriculture. The chief fishing communities are Kahar, Pardeshi, Koli and Phutana bhoi, who are Hindus by caste. A few Muslims, Bhils, Gosavi and Gopal also undertake fishing.

Fishing Gear

Fishing in rivers and tanks is done by means of cast nets (phekjal), drag nets, drift nets and hook and lines. Drift nets are locally known as kandala khavari, malegani, pothani etc. The drag nets are known as payawadi, chatta, pandy and udan.

Drift nets are made of cotton twine and its mesh size varies from 25.4 mm. to 76.2 mm. (1 to 3 inches). During operation pumpkins are attached to the head rope as floats and earthen balls are used as sinkers. The chatta mostly used in river Godavari is of 121.92 x 4.57 metres (400'x 15') in length and height, having a mesh of 12.7 to 50.8 mm. (½ to 2") and consists of two parts. The central part is a "V" shaped bag, and other parts form the wings of the bag. The sheet of water is encircled by spreading the net from a tarafa and then the net is dragged to the shore. The operation requires about 25 fishermen.

The payawadi is a drag net of 60.96 x 1.83 metres (200' x 6') in length and height having a mesh ranging from 12-7 to 31.75 mm (½ inch to 1¼ inches). Only three persons are required to operate this net.

Hooks and Lines:—This method is generally employed during rainy season. In davan type about 50 to 100 hooks are attached to the line and small worms are used as bait. The line is about 50 fathoms in length. Stones are tied so as to keep the hooks at the bottom.

List of Fishes

Important fish fauna of the district comprises the following varieties:

 * These have been newly introduced by the Department of Fisheries, Maharashtra State, Bombay.

Co-operation

The implementation of the fisheries development programme in the district under different schemes has created an incentive among the fishermen to come under the co-operative fold and avail of the benefits and facilities rendered by the department. One such Fishermen's Co-operative Society has been organised at Bhir.