CONSIDERATIONS

CONNECTED WITH THE ECONOMICAL IMPORTANCE

OF OUR

FISHERIES.

WHEN We consider the important interests at stake, and the loss sustained by all classes of the community by the present gross neglect to which our fisheries are consigned, it is most clear that some public steps should be taken to secure an observance of those indications which Nature has set up for our guidance in this matter. No class of men should be permitted to deal as they choose with those interests whence they derive their subsistence. All men are apt to abuse power and privilege, when

not restrained by wholesome regulations. Hakes, because plentiful and easily accessible in December are captured at will during that month, and yet the most of the females at that juncture are heavy with the embryo of future progeny. The young of nearly all kind of fish are captured at caprice, and in marvellous quantities. A class of fishermen who employ a sort of nets called Driving nets are permitted to intersect the shoals of Pilchards, contrary to an understood law observed by the species, that of keeping together in immense bodies; the sections into which these companies are thus cut up, wander about, and become the prey of ravenous fishes, or are too inconsiderable in number to be an object to the seiners. Salmons are

continually taken when full of large-sized roe, in which ostensible organization has commenced, namely in December, and when really inedible.* Respecting the persons guilty of this unlawful practice a writer says "I would wish them to consider that the Salmon, so taken, would, after depositing their spawn, return to the sea, and, in

An instance of this presented itself in Plymouth Market, in December, 1842; the fish were taken on the Tamar. In January, 1843, numbers were taken on the

a few weeks, renew themselves, and return again as new Salmon, of increased weight, and excellent flavour. Now suppose, we fix the number at 500 which are annually destroyed, that would have deposited their spawn, and these upon an average, to weigh 16lbs. each, the gross weight would be 800lbs. or about four tons of excellent food, prematurely destroyed. Conceive, also the destruction of spawn in every spawner so taken. I did myself count the eggs in the roe of a Salmon weighing 17lbs. and found the number to be 11,350, which, at the growth of 1lb. each, would have given a quantity of food rather better than 5 tons; at 10lbs. each, 50 tons; and 100 Salmon, of the like weight, would upon the same principle of calculation, give 5000 tons,-a produce equal to 10,000 acres of wheat, at 20 bushels per acre, when in flour at 50lbs. per bushel." The trawl is still suffered to be employed in all its baneful tendencies without restraint or limitation, and the diminution of the quantity of many species is probably referrible to the continued devastation inflicted by this machine on the economy of the tribe; from January to April this engine is plied on the grounds to which Hakes resort for the purposes of multiplying

their kind, and thus the object of Nature is effectually frustrated, while the food itself so procured is indifferent. There is scarcely a species of fish dealt by consistently, as to natural economy, or even prudently for human economy,—all are captured at caprice, and without thought as to consequences. That the appointment of a person or persons to overlook the system of fishing now pursued, should wholly remove every evil, is, I am aware, impossible; several species seem to perform the function of spawning twice or three times a year, sets of individuals taking it in turn to do so, and in this case a second and third prohibition in the year would be perhaps too stringent, and almost impracticable. Yet it is equally certain that even these species have one special spawning season in which the majority of the kind are concerned, and this season should certainly be sacred to the whole.

There may be many laws referring to the fisheries still valid, but, the question is, whether—excepting those which press heavily on immediate interests they are attended to, and enforced, and whether without a proper officer, it be possible for the Magistracy to exact a compliance with existing statutes; to meet these glaring evils a party competent to weigh well

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the interests concerned, and to enter rigidly into all the details of the case, should be appointed to superintend, and protect the fisheries, and his duties should be as follows:

To determine the period in which the species of edible fishes are severally “in season"; to ascertain the period in which each deposits its spawn; to determine when they are most abundant and most available to the fisherman; to ascertain the spots resorted to, and principally selected by fishes at various seasons, embracing their migrations; to determine those plans of fishing the least injurious to the increase of the species; to determine what circumstances interfere at present with the prospects, and well-being of the fisheries, and to point out required alterations likely to promote the general interests for the future. He should further be instructed to accumulate every species of statistical information, and be provided with power to license every individual concerned in the capture of fishes, and to watch and superintend their actions, bringing under the notice of the Magistrates those who may be refractory.

It is surely vain for persons to meet these indicated reformations by an assertion of the present