GENERAL

FISH AND FISHERIES

The main source of supply of fish in the district is at present confined to the Urmodi, Vena, Krishna and Koyna rivers. The other rivers are not of much importance from the fisheries point of view as they get dry for most part of the year. Development of riverine fisheries is a long-range programme for the benefits to be apparent and hence efforts are being concentrated on the development of fisheries in confined sheets of water. A preliminary survey of irrigation tanks such as Kas, Banganga, Ranand, Nehr, Pingli, Mayani and Daruj reservoirs was carried out with a view to finding out their suitability for pisciculture and efforts are being made by the Department of Fisheries to stock them with quick-growing varieties of fish such as Catla, Rohu and Mirgal which are imported from Bengal. It is expected that in due course, when piscicultural activities increase in the district, they will augment the local supply of fish which is at present very scanty.

Methods of Fishing.

Fishing in rivers and tanks is done by means of cast nets (Phekani), fixed nets (Tivari), drag nets (Vadap), draft nets (Kandyala), and hook and line (Gal).

Cast net— The most elementary type of net in vogue which continues to be of great use to inland fisheries is the cast net locally known as Pag, Phekani or Bhor jal. It is a circular net when spread out. A hauling line is attached to the centre and small weights are fastened at the periphery, which is folded inward to form a series of pockets wherein fish get trapped when the net is hauled. Mesh of the net varies from ½" to 2" (square) depending on the size of fish to be caught. The net is made of twine and the cost varies from Rs. 30 to Rs. 50.

Fixed net (Tivari).—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 35 feet and the circumference at the mouth varies from 30 feet to 40 feet. The size of the mesh diminishes as the net tapers towards its extremity where it forms an impenetrable bag. The net at the mouth is made of strong hemp twine with 4" (square,) mesh and at the tapering end it is made of thin twine with ½" (square) mesh.

The net is operated just after monsoon and till a strong current is there in the river. The net is so fixed that its month is kept wide open against the current in a rectangular form 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 cod end is taken by loosening the ropes tied round it. The cost of the net is about Rs. 200 depending upon its size.

Drag net (Vadap).— This is the largest type of net used for catch of fish both in rivers and tanks. The net is made of cotton twine and consists of 10 to 20 rectangular pieces, the number depending on the width of the sheet of water and on the middle conical piece. Each piece is about 18 feet in length and 22 feet in height with 1" stretched mesh. The middle piece is conical in shape and with its cod-end resembles the fixed net described above. The rings formed by the rectangular piece on either side of this conical bag are very extensive and collect the fish in the bag when dragged. The whole net while in operation is provided with wooden or tin floats along the head rope to increase the buoyancy. A few small stones are tied to the ground rope to serve as sinkers. These keep the net erect. The operation of this net is interesting. A wall net is first stretched across the river, where fishing operations are to be undertaken, so that the fish seared 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 2" thick and about 50 feet long are tied to the ends of the drag net. Each end is pulled by 10 to 15 persons and the net is thus dragged along the river. When the drag net is brought closer to the fall 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 to the bank. In the process of dragging the net, most of the fish are enclosed in the central conical part of the drag net, from where they are emptied by loosening the rope tied round the cod end. The drag net is operated in the tank in the manner described above 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 conical piece costs about Rs. 250.

Drift nets (Kandyala).—Drift nets known as Kandyala used in the district, are of different mesh-size varying from 1½" to 7". Usually 24 rectangular pieces are joined together and operated by 12 fishermen. The net while in operation is provided with small sticks of reed locally known as " Kavas" along the head rope to increase the buoyancy. A few small stones or earthenware ovals are tied to the ground rope to serve as sinkers. The drift nets are used in summer when the depth of water in the rivers and tanks is considerably reduced. The common drift nets used in deep waters elsewhere are not yet common in Satara district.

Hook and line.—In addition to fishing nets, the hook and line method of fishing is also followed by fishermen of Satara district. About 100 hooks are attached to a line which measures nearly 1,000 feet in length. Floats of light weed, dried pumpkins or tins are attached to the head rope. This type of fishing is practised throughout the year.

The Vena, Krishna, Koyna, and Vasna have large pools that hold water throughout the year and are fairly stocked with fish. Rivers like the Man and Yerla which dry during the hot weather have no fish of any considerable size. The best, or at least the most frequently eaten fish, are the: maral, malya, tamhat, shingada, and camb. The chief fishing communities are the Bhois and Kolis; the kunbis and Muhammedans fish for their own use. Even the fishing communities take to other subsidiary occupation for their livelihood. Fish are sometimes caught by poisoning the water with the juice of milkbush, but this practice is disappearing. Other modes of fishing, which are occasionally practised are by diverting the stream into a large basket or some other open receptacle, by constructing a bund across a stream and lastly by placing large earthen pots in the water and closing them when the fish enter. Hand-nets of small mesh-size are also used for catching fish. Fish are mostly sold fresh, and from house to house; few are taken to the markets. In some places fish are preserved as sacred animals. In other places people net fish where they please, though there seems to be an understanding that each village has a prior right to fishing within its own limits.

Important fresh water fishes of the district are as under: —

Vam, which is found in rivers is highly prized as food. It attains a size of two to three feet and is usually caught on small hooks as it frequents bouldery spots where it is difficult to net.

This fish belongs to the Eel group and is rarely found in rivers. It is usually caught by hook and line. Being a foul-eater, it is not much relished as food though its flesh is considered as a diet for invalids. It grows to about 4' in length and is disliked by many in view of its snake-like appearance.

These are bright silvery fishes, the former growing to about 9" while the latter growing to about 4" only. These are abundant in the rivers and constitute the main item of food of the fishermen as well as of the poor people as the fish is cheap. They are surface feeders, subsisting mainly on planktonic insects, larva: and worms.

Of the aforesaid varieties, Dandcan is common in the catches while the remaining are found in small numbers in rivers and streams. These fishes being small are not valued much as food, Amli and Dandvan, however, have found a place in the acquarium on account of their brilliant colours.

This fish is the angler's delight. It is also called as Mahaseer of Deccan and is found in rivers, particularly in the river Vena. It prefers a rocky bed and a moderately strong current, it attains a large size and reaches a weight of 30 to 40 lbs.

The above species are medium-sized carps growing from 6 to 18 inches and weighing up to a seer or more. Paragi and Kolshi are abundantly caught and sold in the district.

There are only three varieties of Labeo spp., found in rivers in the Satara district. Out of these Tambir grows to about 2½ feet, other two being of smaller size.

Rapidly growing varieties of carps, viz., Catla catla (Ham.), Labeo rohita (Ham.) and Cirrhina mrigala (Ham.)—locally called as Catla, Rohu and Mirgal, respectively and imported from Bengal, have been introduced in the irrigation tanks and reservoirs by the Department of Fisheries, Maharashtra State. These varieties of fish are highly esteemed as food.

These are small varieties not growing more than three inches They are bottom feeders dwelling usually at the gravelly and sandy bottom.

ORDER: OSTARIOPHYSI.

SUB-ORDER: SILUROIDEA.

All these varieties are carnivorous and arc highly esteemed as food. The first two grow to a foot in length while the third grows to about five feet and is commonly called as a fresh water shark in view of its voracious nature.

These fishes are usually found in rivers and are fairly relished as food.

These varieties are found in rivers but arc not verv common in the catches. Khirit is an ugly looking fish yellowish in colour with large irregular brownish black cross bands. It is considered as the largest fresh water fish growing up to 5½" and weighing 250 lbs.

These fishes are found only in rivers and grow to about S to 10 inches. Khacalachor is seen in Krishna. Its specific local name signifies its remarkable lepidophagous habit of feeding on the scales of other fishes.

ORDER : CYPRINODONTES.

Family : CYPRINODONTIDAE.

Aphlochilus lineatus (C. & V.)

It is a small fish which remains always on the surface of water. It is easily recognised by the spot on its head.

ORDER: DABYRINTHICI.

These are generally found in rivers and tanks. Being carnivorous, they are not useful for fish culture. However, they are highly esteemed for their flesh and hence are highly prized as food, as compared to other fishes. They grow to about 3 to 4 feet in length, On account of the presence of accessory respiratory organs, these fish can remain alive out of water for a considerable time.

ORDER: PERCOMORPHI.

These fish are known us glass fish in view of their transparent body and are therefore, popular amongst aquarists. They are small fish of 2 to 3 inches and are found in rivers and tanks.

ORDER: GOBIODEA.

Family : GOBIODAE.

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