4G2 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



remain unlawful in the localities covered by the Phucagrortis. It is a 

 prohibition that does not aggrieve fishermen, for the fisheries on these 

 small areas are not remunerative; on the contrary it does good, for it 

 protects the fisb from being caught before maturity, and when mature 

 they are more readily sold in the markets. I hope that Mr. Zammit 

 will be fully convinced that the government is protecting the multipli- 

 cation of our non-migrating species, on scientific and practical princi- 

 ples. Mr. Holdsworth remarks that "we should fish with economy, 

 and above all we should fish in such a manner as will not wantonly 

 waste the spawn of our best table-fishes. At present the waste of 

 spawn is so enormous as to be incalculable, which may be said of all 

 fishes, even of those which we least esteem for food purposes." 



The " gangamo," the " terrieha," and the " tartanoni" will soon be 

 allowed indiscriminately on bottoms called by fishermen " trix," which 

 signifies rocky bottoms with occasional sands often covered by the 

 Caulinea oceanica (" alca"), such as all the bays of San Paolo a Mare, Bir- 

 zebbugia, and all other creeks and bays having such bottom. I have 

 advised that the area for the seines should be extended all over the 

 rocky bottom (" trix") of Marsascala, Marsascirocco, and San Georgio. 1 

 have also suggested that licenses shall be given for the use of" the 

 kk terrieha" in all localities where fisheries with the " tartanoni " can be 

 practiced. I foresee that some amateurs, who fish both for amusement 

 and profit, will probably push fishermen to ask the governor to make 

 lawful the use of the "terrieha" on the areas of the Phucagrortis; but 

 as I have already expressed my opinion on the subject, I do not deem it 

 necessary to repeat that on similar bottoms the use of this net should 

 remain prohibited. 



As regards deep-sea and coast fishing, there are no restrictions what- 

 ever. I would recommend the governor to encourage as much as pos- 

 sible deep-sea fisheries, for in deep waters fish are obtained in large quan 

 tities and of good size. I believe that the boats and especially the im- 

 plements of our fishermen are unsuited to the pursuit of the immense 

 shoals of fishes that abound in the Mediterranean. I would, therefore, 

 respectfully advise the governor to appoint a commission with the view 

 of extending and improving our fisheries and fishing gear. When 

 Sicilian fishermen, furnished with valuable machinery of capture, come 

 to our waters, at a considerable distance from the coast, they catch 

 great quantities of fish, and our markets are then fully supplied with 

 the best species of the Mediterranean. 



With the purpose of furnishing anglers with more bait, I would rec- 

 ommend the government to give special permission for fishing for 

 marine worms and other invertebrate animals in places where such fish- 

 ing has heretofore been prohibited. 



July 14. 1884. 



