ABSTRACT
The total annual catch of fish and crustaceans is estimated to be about 600,000 tons. This is based on the Nutrition Survey of 1962-63. Various other estimates are less than 300,000 tons. The fisheries can be classified into six groups– Tank, Bil-Baor-Haor, Riverine, Estuarine, Bheri, and Marine. The usual way of stocking tank is, however, to buy up large numbers of carp frys of different species and introduce them into the tanks, which are full of weeds, such as water-hyacinth, Topa Pana and Chandmala, and harbouring predaceous fishes as Shole, Boal, and Chital. River fishing is mainly from boats. Of the large boats, two types are extensively used the Chandi Nauka and Bachari Nauka. The Chandi Nauka varies from 15 to 50 feet in length, 3 to 9 feet in beam and 1 to 4 feet in depth. Four to six pairs of oars are used. The Bheri fisheries are an interesting variation of the estuarine fisheries.
