UTTAR PRADESH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY

The present study documented the fishing crafts and gears used by local fishermen in the Ujani backwater region of Bhigwan, Pune district, Maharashtra, India. The survey was conducted from January to March 2026 through field visits, direct observations, measurements and personal interviews with fishermen. Three fishing crafts namely thermocol rafts, plank-built boats and rubber tube platforms were recorded. Thermocol rafts and plank-built boats were commonly used for routine fishing operations, whereas rubber tube platforms were used less frequently for small-scale fishing. Five major fishing gears namely gill nets, drag nets, cast nets, box traps, and hooks and lines were documented. Gill nets and drag nets were the most commonly used gears in the study area. Gill nets were operated in shallow and deeper waters and were mainly used for catching Indian major carps, Chanda spp., prawns and other fishes, with an observed average catch of 12-14 kg/day. Drag nets were used for larger catches and recorded an average catch of 40-64 kg per operation. Cast nets, hooks and lines, and box traps were used according to fishing site, target species and fishermen's affordability. Box traps were mainly observed at selected sites and recorded an average catch of 0.5-2.5 kg/day per trap. The study indicates that local fishermen use both traditional and modified fishing methods according to available resources, local conditions and operational needs. This documentation may support future studies on indigenous fishing practices and sustainable inland fishery management.