An indigenous fish aggregating method practiced along the Kolong river in Nagaon district of Assam

Abstract

In the present study, an attempt has been made to document an indigenous fish aggregating method practiced along the Kolong river of Raha in Nagaon district of Assam. Vertically fixed branches of <i>Saora</i> trees in the selected deeper portions of river banks with a thick layer of aquatic vegetation mainly comprised by water hyacinth constitutes the fish aggregating structure. The entire structure is encircled by a two–tier barricade consisting of the outer netting called <i>Mosuri Jaal</i> and an inner drag net<i>.</i> The area encircled by the two nets is narrowed by inward repositioning of both the nets. After removing the branches of <i>Saora</i> trees and aquatic vegetation, the encircled fishes are caught by cast nets. The catch is comprised by both herbivorous and carnivorous fishes.