( 167 ) 



VI.— KETTLE-NET AND WEIRS. 



The kettle-net — Description of and localities for — Objections to on account 

 of danger to navigation — Gradual reduction in their nnmher — Weirs — 

 Open to same objection — Description of weirs — Action of — Practically 

 of little value for catching fish. 



The Kettle-net. 



{Plate VII.) 



This is a method of fishing which is only adopted on 

 the Hne of coast between Beachy Head and Folkestone, 

 and for the purpose of catching mackerel when they 

 come very near the land. It is used to most advantage 

 where the shore slopes very gradually, and a great deal 

 of ground is consequently laid bare between high and 

 low water marks. Its principle is much the same as 

 that of the fishing weir, although the arrangement of 

 the apparatus differs considerably ; both contrivances, 

 how^ever, are such as to turn the fish in a par- 

 ticular direction, and to lead them into an enclosure 

 where they are ultimately captured. The kettle-net is 

 divided into two portions, consisting of a long straight 

 barrier («), and a circular enclosure or " pound " (jb), 

 both being constructed of similar materials. The 

 barrier has a framework or skeleton of stakes 11 feet 

 high and 8 feet apart ; these are fixed in the ground 

 in a straight line, extending from high-water mark 

 to near the limit of ordinary low tides ; the length 

 of the barrier varying of course in different localities 

 with the flatness of the shore and the extent of ground 

 laid bare ; in some cases the distance is not more than 

 200 yards, in others it may be 500 or 600. Along the 



