GENERAL

FISH

Potentialities.

The physical features of Sangli district are of varied nature consisting of plains, plateaus and hill ranges. The western ghats which form the western boundary of the district have thrown several spurs in the western region, of the district. The high altitudes of these ranges and spurs receiving a rainfall of 1,397 mm. (55") have given rise to a number of streams and rivers in the district. The eight rivers in the district, namely, Nanni, Ghod, Kerda, Krishna, Yerla, Manganga, Bori and Agrani afford suitable habitats for fish life. Among these the Krishna and the Yerla are the important rivers, others generally running dry in late summer. The fish get suitable habitats in perennial pools of large rivers and the streams developed on account of earthen bunds on seasonal rivers and streams. Besides there are a few tanks and ponds in the district. Prospects of development of fisheries in the district are limited on account of the absence of a large number of perennial water sheets such as big reservoirs and irrigation tanks. Pisciculture in four tanks, namely, Ganpati at Miraj, Fakir and Yamai at Islampur and irrigation reservoir at Rethre Haranaksh has been undertaken by the department.

Types.

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

Vam is usually found in rivers and does not figure much in the catches. It attains a size of about.609 metres (2 feet) or more in length and is highly prized as food. It is usually caught by means of small hooks, as it frequents boulders with some currents where it is difficult to net.

Aheer, from the eel group, is a rare variety found in rivers. It is usually caught by hooks and makes a good diet for invalids. It is a foul eater and is disliked by many on account of its snakelike appearance. It grows to about 1.219 metres (4 feet) in length.

These are bright silvery fishes. The former grows to at least ..228 metres (9 inches) in length and the latter to about.101 metres (4 inches). These are abundant in the rivers and constitute the mainstay of the fishermen and of the poor consumers as the fish is cheap and available in large quantities. They feed mainly on Planktonic lorganismo insect larvae and worms. They are of larvicidal character: —

Of the aforesaid varieties only Dandvan is common while the remaining are found in small numbers in streams and rivers. They form the food of the poor classes. These fishes are small in size. Dandvan and Balloki are of some use as larvicidal fish.

Sub-family: Cyprininae.

Puntius (Tor), Khurdree (Sykes).—Locally called mahaseer is the angler's delight. It is found in rivers particularly in parts frequented by Garra-mullya. It prefers rocky bed and moderately strong current. The fish attains a weight even up to 18.14 kg. (40 lbs.).

Puntius (Tor), mussullah (Sykes).—Khadas. It reaches a length of over.914 metres (3 feet) and weighs over 9.07 kg. (20 lbs.).

The above species are medium sized carps growing from.152 metres to.457 metres (6 to 18 inches) and weighing up to a kilo or more and are common in rivers. They are used as food and are also of some value as semi-game fishes.

Puntius ticto (Ham.): Khavli.—It. is useful as a larvicidal fish. Other puntius species are as follows: —

The Mowing five Labeo species which are common carps in Sangli district are esteemed as food and game-fishes: —

Other fishes belonging to this sub-family are: —

Schizmatorhynchus (Sykes) Nukta nutta.—Nuhta or bhobri is a two-mouthed fish. It is a rare variety. A conspicuous slit near the nasal aperture and above the oral aperture has given a two-mouthed appearance to this fish.

Rapidly growing varieties of carps, viz., Catla catla (Ham.), Labeo rohita (Ham.) and Cirrhina mrigala (Ham.) locally called Catla, Rohu and Mrigal respectively and imported from Bengal have been introduced in tanks and reservoirs by the Department of Fisheries. They are expected to breed and establish themselves in due course and thus provide a source for producing the major carp fry. Catla grows up to 20 kg in weight and Labeo rohita and Cirrhina mrigala up to 10 kg. They are highly esteemed as food. A few fingerlings of Catla catla were collected from a pool adjacent to the Krishna river near Miraj.

These are small varieties growing up to.076 metres) (3 inches). They are bottom feeders and dwell on gravelly and sandy bottoms. The soup of these fishes is supposed to be a sure cure for cough and cold.

Waghmasa from the loaches group is a coloured fish. The body is diversified by broad, dark and narrow yellow bands. The fish is hard and beautiful and finds a place in the aquaria: —

Order: Ostariophysi.

Sub-Order: Siluroidae.

Family : Siluridae.

All these varieties of fish are carnivorous and good for eating. Wanz and Kali wanz grow to about.304 metres (one foot) in length. Valshivda attains a length of at least 1.828 metres (6 feet). It is called fresh water shark due to its voracious nature.

Family : Bagride.

Katirna, shingati and ghoghrya grow to about.254 metres (10 inches) while kurdu grows to about.152 metres (6 inches). Shingalu grows to about.457 metres (18 inches) and is relished as food. These fishes are found in rivers.

Family : Sisoridae

These are found in rivers and are rare in catches. Khirit is called as blind fish on account of its very small eyes as compared to its huge body. An ugly looking fish, yellowish in colour with large irregular brownish black cross bands, it grows to an enormous size. It is known to be the largest fresh water fish with specimens weighing 75 kg reported to be netted from Panchganga.

Family: Schilbeidae.

These are found in rivers and are rare in catches. They attain a length of.203 to.254 metres (eight to ten inches). Khavalchor occurs, in the Panchganga and the Krishna rivers. Its local name signifies its remarkable lepidophagous habit of feeding on the scales of other fishes.

Order: Cyprinodontes.

Family: Cyprinodontidae.

 It is a small fish growing up to.076 metres (three inches). It is very rarely found in the Varna and the Krishna rivers. It is known for its larvicidal nature.

Order: Synentognathi.

Family: Xementodontidae.

This fish is rarely found in rivers and is not of commercial importance.

Order: Labyrinthici.

Family: Ophicoephalidae.

Dokarya, Murrel and Mangsha are generally found in rivers and tanks. Being carnivorous, they are not useful for fish-culture. Murrels are highly esteemed as food. Due to their snake-like appearance, they are also known as "snake headed fishes". They possess an accessory respiratory organ and are able to respire directly from the atmosphere. They exhibit parental care.

Gorami is newly introduced in the tanks of Kolhapur City. It grows to about.457 metres, (one and half feet) in length. This fish breeds in confined waters and being herbivorous is eminently suitable for fish culture.

Order: Percomorphi.

Family: Ambassidaoe.

These are small carnivorous fishes found in tanks and rivers. They grow to about .050 to .076 metres (2 to 3 inches) in length. They are called as "Glass fish" in view of their transparent body and find a place in the aquaria.

Order: Gobioidae.

Family: Gobiidae.

This variety is found in rivers and tanks and shows considerable diversity in its proportions and colours. It grows to about.228 metres (9 inches) in length. They are very rare in catches and are not of much commercial importance.

The following types of nets are used in Sangli district: —

Fishing Gear.

The fishing in rivers and tanks is done by means of cast-nets (Phekani), fixed-nets (Ghal), drag-nets (Wadap), drift-nets (Kandala) and hook and line (Davani).

Cast-net.—The most elementary type of net in vogue which could continue to be of great use to inland fisheries, is the cast-net locally known as phekani or bhor-jale. It is also known as mandur, admandur, patal-jale, kakari and karala depending on the size of the mesh of the net. This net when cast in water takes the form of a circle and settles down over the fish. At the centre of this circle there is a long string for pulling the net, The periphery of the net is provided with weights to make it sink quickly into the depths. The peripheral margin of the net if folded to form a series of pockets wherein fishes get trapped when the net is hauled by pulling this string. The mesh of the net varies from 3.23 to 16.12 sq. cm (½" sq. to 2½" sq.) (Bar) depending on the size of the fish to be caught. This net is made of cotton twine generally (Yarn Nos. 20 and 30) and the cost varies from Rs. 40.00 to Rs. 70.00 depending on the size and mesh of the net.

Fixed-net (Ghal, Khavar).—It is a conical type of net the base of which is open and rectangular. The length of the net from the rim of the base to the tapering cod end is about 9.14 to 12.19 metres (30 feet to 40 feet) and the circumference at the mouth also varies from 9.14 to 12.19 metres (30 feet to 40 feet). The net resembles a trawl. The size of the mesh diminishes as the net tapers towards its extremity where it forms an impenetrable bag. The mouth of the net is made of strong hemp-twine.

The net is operated just after monsoon. It is so fixed that the mouth is kept wide open in the rectangular form against the current by supporting the lateral sides of the mouth by means of two strong bamboo poles. The poles are kept in position by means of wire ropes which are firmly fixed on both the banks. The fish collected at the tapering end is removed by loosening the rope tied round the tapering end. The cost of the net comes to about Rs. 200.

Drag-net (Wadap).—This is the largest type of net used in inland waters for catching fish both in rivers and tanks. The net is made of cotton twine and consists of 15 to 30 rectangular pieces, the number depending on the width of the sheet of water and on the middle conical piece. Each piece is about 5.49 metres (18 feet) in length and 6.10 to 7.62 metres (20 to 25 feet) in height with 3.23 sq. cm (½ sq. inch) mesh. The middle piece is conical in shape and with its cod end resembles the fixed net. The rings formed by rectangular pieces on either side of this conical bag arc very extensive and collect the fish in the bag when dragged. The net, while in operation, is provided with wooden or tin floats along the head-rope and a few small stones are tied to the ground-rope to serve as sinkers. These keep the net erect. The operation of the net is interesting. A wall-net is first stretched across the river where fishing operations are to be undertaken so that the fish scared by the drag-net may not escape. The drag-net is spread across the river about a furlong away from the wall-net. Two coir ropes about.050 metres (2") thick and about 15.24 metres (50) long are tied to the ends of the drag-net. Each end is pulled by 10—15 persons and the net is thus dragged along the river. When the drag-net comes closer to the wall-net, its one end is joined to the adjacent end of the other net. Then the two free ends are pulled and the combined net is dragged across the river on the bank. In the process of dragging the net, most of the fish are enclosed in the central conical part of the drag-net wherefrom they are emptied by loosening the rope tied round the cod end. The drag-net is operated in the tank in the same manner except that the stationary wall-net is not used as the drag-net is hauled on the opposite bank. Each rectangular piece costs about Rs. 75 and the middle conicle piece costs about Rs. 250.

Drift-nets (Kandala).—Drift-nets known as Kandalas are of different meshes varying from 9.68 to 45.16 sq. cm. 1½" sq. to 7" sq.). Usually 20 to 22 rectangular pieces are joined together and operated by 12 fishermen. The net, while in operation, is provided with small sticks of reed along the head-rope to increase the buoyancy. A few small stones or earthen pallets are tied to the ground-rope to serve as sinkers. The one that is used at bottom set is known as sutil, tivari and kandali depending on the size of the mesh and the type of fish to be caught. The length of sutil net varies from 73.15 to 201.17 metres (240' to 660') and the depth from about 2.43 to 2.74 metres (8' to 9'). The other one which is used as surface net is about 45.70 metres (150') and the depth of the net is.914 to 1.219 metres (3' to 4'). No sinkers are used for this type of net.

The drift-nets are used in summer when the depth of water in the rivers and tanks is considerably reduced. The Department of Fisheries has succeeded in popularising gill-nets made of nylon which are now used extensively in and around the Kolhapur City.

Hook and line.—In addition to the fishing by nets, hooks and line method of fishing is also followed by fishermen of Sangli district. About 100 hooks are attached to a line which measures about 304.80 metres (1,000') in length. Floats of light wood, dried pumpkins or empty tins are attached to the head-rope. This kind of fishing is practised throughout the year.

Fishing Craft.—This is locally called as Kayil and resembles the jaggery pot as used in Kolhapur district but differs from it in that the bottom portion is curved. It is made of black tin. There is a small round depression in the middle. The diameter of the boat is 2.43 metres (8 feet) and the depth is.914 metres (3 feet). The depth of the depression is.152 metres (6"). This type of boat is used by fishermen of Islampur, Bhilawadi and Borgaon in the river Krishna for operating nets like drag-nets and gill-nets.

Fishing Communities.

There are no concentrated fishing villages in Sangli district as are found in coastal districts. The households of fisher- men are scattered in several villages and towns in the district. As per the Census of 1961, 173 persons are engaged in fishing in this district. Of these 117 persons are in rural areas and 56 in urban areas. As fishing does not provide with full-time employment, many are obliged to work as field labourers and carry on fishing as a side-business. The chief fishing communities are Bhois, Bagadis and Musalmans.

Fishing trade is centralised chiefly in the talukas of Miraj, Tasgaon, Walwa and Shirala.

Government Assistance.

The fishermen were first brought under the co-operative fold in 1961. There are at present 6 Fishermen's Co-operative Societies in Sangli district with a total membership of 255. The development of fisheries and encouragement and assistance to the fishermen of the district is entrusted to the Superintendent of Fisheries, Kolhapur. The fishermen are given assistance and loans for the purchase of sail cloth, suitable yarn for nets, purchase or repair of boats, etc. New varieties of fish are also introduced in tanks and ponds.

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