595
while the mesh size varies from 1–8 mm. The
foot rope is made heavier than the head rope for
fast sinking. Spindle-shaped wooden buoys
(locally called ‘ula’) are tied to the head rope,
generally, at an interval of 4–5 cm for enabling
the gear to remain afl oat. In addition, two nylon
strings, each 2–3 m long, are tied to both head
and foot ropes to facilitate manipulation. This
type of gear is operated by four persons on two
round bottom (RB) boats. In operation, two persons, each in two RB boats (dia. c 2.4 m), carrying equal portions of the gear, row parallel for
some distance, become face to face on a deep
portion of the Beel and start dropping the gear
in an encircling manner at a depth range of 1.0–
5.0 m. Among the 4 operators, 2 persons lift the
net by manipulating the 2–3-m-long nylon
strings which are tied to both the head and foot
ropes. The other two persons make peculiar
knocking sound as well as sprinkle water with
the help of the oars in order to agitate the water
and allure the fi shes to enter the net when they
are caught.
In Sone Beel, Chat jal was seen in operation
generally from May to December for hauling
specifi cally Gudusia chapra and Salmophasia
bacaila . It is important to note here that there was
no engine-driven ferrying boat in Sone Beel till
around 1988. After their initiation, it is said that
fi shes like G . chapra and S . bacaila , which are
said to be mainly surface dwellers, left the Beel
in large numbers, being disturbed by the outboard
engines. Having happening this, the Chat jal
operators failed to get enough catches in their
gears. Due to this situation, there has been a sharp
decline in the operation of Chat jal in Sone Beel
since 1990.
Ghuran jal (Plate 27.17 ) is fabricated almost
in the same manner as ‘Chat jal’, except that the
foot rope is provided with iron balls in order to
enable it to sink effectively. This type of gear
Plate 27.17 Ghuran jal
Plate 27.15 Dal jal
Plate 27.16 Chat jal
27.3 Wetland Fish Catching Devices Exemplifi ed from a Typical Wetland in Asia
while the mesh size varies from 1–8 mm. The
foot rope is made heavier than the head rope for
fast sinking. Spindle-shaped wooden buoys
(locally called ‘ula’) are tied to the head rope,
generally, at an interval of 4–5 cm for enabling
the gear to remain afl oat. In addition, two nylon
strings, each 2–3 m long, are tied to both head
and foot ropes to facilitate manipulation. This
type of gear is operated by four persons on two
round bottom (RB) boats. In operation, two persons, each in two RB boats (dia. c 2.4 m), carrying equal portions of the gear, row parallel for
some distance, become face to face on a deep
portion of the Beel and start dropping the gear
in an encircling manner at a depth range of 1.0–
5.0 m. Among the 4 operators, 2 persons lift the
net by manipulating the 2–3-m-long nylon
strings which are tied to both the head and foot
ropes. The other two persons make peculiar
knocking sound as well as sprinkle water with
the help of the oars in order to agitate the water
and allure the fi shes to enter the net when they
are caught.
In Sone Beel, Chat jal was seen in operation
generally from May to December for hauling
specifi cally Gudusia chapra and Salmophasia
bacaila . It is important to note here that there was
no engine-driven ferrying boat in Sone Beel till
around 1988. After their initiation, it is said that
fi shes like G . chapra and S . bacaila , which are
said to be mainly surface dwellers, left the Beel
in large numbers, being disturbed by the outboard
engines. Having happening this, the Chat jal
operators failed to get enough catches in their
gears. Due to this situation, there has been a sharp
decline in the operation of Chat jal in Sone Beel
since 1990.
Ghuran jal (Plate 27.17 ) is fabricated almost
in the same manner as ‘Chat jal’, except that the
foot rope is provided with iron balls in order to
enable it to sink effectively. This type of gear
Plate 27.17 Ghuran jal
Plate 27.15 Dal jal
Plate 27.16 Chat jal
27.3 Wetland Fish Catching Devices Exemplifi ed from a Typical Wetland in Asia