Present status of trout fisheries in jammu and kashmir

Abstract

The research paper provided detailed information about the introduction of Trout in Kashmir. In Kashmir Valley Trout was introduced in 1899 by F.J. Mitchell who bought a consignment of eyed-eggs of Brown Trout from England (Mitchell, 1918). This whole consignment however, perished in the way due to heat. In 1900 another consignment of eyed-eggs of same species was produced from Howeitonin in Scotland. The swim-up fry from these eggs were successfully reared up to the adulthood and the first spawning or egg- taking of the Brown-Trout (Salmo trutta fario), was done in December 1905 at Harwan near Srinagar (Kashmir). In the 1905-1906, Mitchell succeeded in establishing a regular Trout Hatchery at Harwan Srinagar Kashmir, having a capacity of 100,000 green eggs. Since then brown trout has established itself throughout Kashmir and parts of Jammu notably in Badarwah and Poonch providing fly and spoon fishing year after year to thousands of anglers visiting the state.It was from Kashmir that brown trout was spread to other sections of the Himalayas. In 1912, Mitchell Succeeded in hatching and rearing rainbow trout eggs from a consignment presented to him by the Bristol Water Works England. Today J&K Fisheries Department ha achieved remarkable success and at present 32 trout rearing units are functioning in various Districts of J&K state. The Fisheries Department collects huge revenue from sale outlets of trout fishes located at various parts of the state.