PHYSICAL FEATURES AND NATURAL RESOURCES

FISH

Sources.

FISH: Main source of supply of fish in the district is confined to the river Tapi and its tributaries such as Girna, Purna and Waghur. The tributaries of the river Tapi are not of much importance from the point of view of fisheries as they get dry for the most part of the year. The fishing rights in the rivers flowing through the district are not leased out except that in Jadya Nallah (rivulet) in Amalner taluka. Fishing in the rivers in other parts of the district is free. Development of riverine fisheries is a long. range programme for the benefits to be apparent and, therefore, efforts are being concentrated solely on the development of fisheries in confined sheets of water. Due to scanty rainfall, the district has only very few perennial tanks, lakes and reservoirs. A few perennial tanks in the district, viz., the tanks at Mhaswa, Hartale, Velhale and Bodwad are being stocked each year with rapidly

growing varieties of carp fry, viz., Catla catla, Labeo rohita and Cirrhina mrigala, imported from Calcutta Preliminary survey of remaining sheets of water will be undertaken to ascertain the suitability for pisciculture, and suitable tanks will be stocked with the aforementioned varieties of fish. It is expected that in due course when fish culture activities increase in the district they will augment the local fish supply considerably which at present is not adequate.

Methods of Fishing.

Methods of fishing : Fishing in rivers and tanks is done by means of cast nets (hath jal), drag net (mahajal), drift-nets (phansi jal) and by rod and line.

Cast net: The most elementary type of net in vogue which can still continue to be of great use to inland fisheries is the cast net locally known as (hath jal). This conical net when cast in water takes the form of a circle. It is thrown down over the fish from above the surface of water. The base of the cone is provided with weights to make it sink down quickly into the depths. Margin of the net is folded to form a series of pockets where the fishes get trapped when the net is hauled by pulling the string at the apex. Mesh of the net varies from ¼" to ½" sq. depending on the size of the fish to be caught. This net is made of twine and the cost varies from Rs. 30 to Rs. 60 according to the size and mesh of the net.

Drag net (mahajal): This is the largest and most known type of net used for capture of fish in rivers and tanks. The net is baglike in the centre having two wings and is made of cotton twine. The net is made of desired length by attaching rectangular pieces to both the wings depending on the extent of the stretch of water in which the fishermen have to fish. The length of net thus varies from 200 feet to 1,800 feet. The bag of the net is about 25 to 45 feet in length. The height of the net at both the ends of the wings varies from 20 to 35 feet. The mesh size in a particular mahajal is also different. It ranges from 1/6" to 1½". The mesh size is the smallest at the cod end of the bag net where bulk of the catch will be trapped. The mesh size is rather bigger at the lower portion of the net. The stones are tied as sinkers at the lower portion of the net (foot rope) whereas tumdas (dried gourd fruits) are tied at the head rope as floats. The net is slowly laid in a semi-circular fashion from the bank of the river with the help of taraphas. The net is slowly collapsed by dragging other end to the bank of the river. During this process the water is splashed to scare the fish. At times the fishermen put a sort of barrier net across the river changing the mahajal, in order to check escape of fish while dragging. About 14 to 35 persons are required to drag the net depending on the size of the net. The entire catch almost gets trapped at the cod end of bag portion from where they are emptied by loosening the rope tied round the cod end. Each rectangular piece costs about Rs. 75 and the middle conical piece costs about Rs. 300.

Gill net (phansi jal): Gill nets are being operated by the fishermen to capture fish from the deep portions of river, where drag net cannot be used. These nets are made of cotton twine. The length of the net is adjusted according to the requirements by joining pieces of nets.

Crafts : Tarapha: These are rafts made by tying together three to seven pieces of logs. (Such taraphas are used by fishermen for fishing in the Tapi river flowing through the district.)

Species.

Important fresh water fish fauna of the district comprise the following varieties: —.

Order: OSTARIOPHSI.

Sub.order: SILUOIDEA.

Family: Siluridae.

These cat fishes are found in the Tapi and the Girna rivers and also in tanks. Pahadi grows to a considerable size.

Family: Bagridae.

These fishes are usually found in rivers of the district. Both the varieties are relished as food by the local people.

Family: Schilbeidae.

This fish is found in the Tapi in small quantity: —

Order: EVENTOGNATHI.

Sub-order: CYFRINOIDET.

Family: Cyprinidae.

Sub-family: Abramidinae.

The fish is found in tanks and rivers and grows to only about three to five inches. It is a surface feeder, subsisting on insects and worms. In view of its larvicidal habits it is used in conjunction with malaria control work.

Sub-family: Rasorinae.

This fish is found in tanks and rivers. It grows to about four inches. Like, Chela bacaila, the fish is a larvicide: —

Sub-family: Cyprininae.

Of the above fishes, Kharsa, Tam, Kanoshi and Labeo bata are found in rivers, while Khawal and Dhebri are found in tanks and rivers. Kharsa grows to about five feet in length and is considered as one of the best sporting fishes. Tom and Kanoshi grow to about two feet, Khavlya or Dhebri grows to about four to six inches. All the above varieties are good edible fishes. Kharsa and Tarn are available in fairly good quantity in the Tapi. Kharsa prefers rocky bed and moderately strong current.

Family: Cobitidae.

These are small varieties growing to not more than three inches in length. They are bottom feeders, dwelling usually on gravelly and sandy bottom.

Order: LABYRINTHICI.

Sub-order: OPHICEPHALOIDEA.

 Family: Opicephalidae.

These fishes are generally found in rivers and tanks. Being carnivorous, they are not useful for fish culture. The first variety grows to about three to four feet in length whereas the other one grows to about 1' to 1½' in length. In view of their snake-like appearance, they are known as snake-headed fishes. Due to presence of accessory respiratory organs, these fishes can remain alive out of water for a considerable time.

Order: OPISTHOMI.

Family: Mastacembeldae.

Bam which is found in rivers does not figure very common in catches. It attains a size of about 1¼ to 2 feet and forms chiefly poor man's food.

Order: GOBIODAL.

Family: Gobiidae.

Order: PHYSOSTOMI.

 Family: Notopteridae.

Fish Markets.

Fish markets: Chief fishing communities are the Bhois and the Kolis. Mohammedans and a few from scheduled castes follow fishing as a part-time occupation. About 659 persons in the district are engaged in full-time fishing. There is good demand for fish throughout the district. Few fishermen of the district migrate to Gujarat side (Surat district) temporarily for fishing in the river Tapi. Fishing in the river is carried for about nine to ten months in a year. For two months of the rainy season fishing in the rivers is almost at a standstill.

Co-operative Societies.

Co-operative Societies: There is only one co-operative society in the district, viz., Bhoi Fishermen's Co-operative Society at Parola. The society is engaged in exploiting the fisheries in the Mhaswa tank (near Parola), which is annually stocked by them with fry of rapidly growing varieties of fish imported from Calcutta. Fish seed is supplied by the Department of Fisheries. The society also grows water-melons in the bed of the tank. The society obtains the lease of the tank each year from the Executive Engineer, Buildings and Communications Department, Jalgaon, for fishing.

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