326 DEEP-SEA FISHING. 



If the herrings always kept near the surface, then, 

 undoubtedly, the drift-nets would present barriers 

 formidable in proportion to their numbers. That the 

 herrings do not generally come near the surface during 

 the day is, of course, a matter of universal experience ; 

 and the floating nets are only used at night. 



As we have previously mentioned, sean-trawls can be 

 only effectively used in water not deeper than that of 

 the net •, and the depth of the sean-trawl at the bunt 

 or deepest part may be taken as not exceeding that of 

 a drift-net. They are therefore used as much as possible 

 in shoal water, where the drift-nets cannot come with- 

 out danger of getting foul. The sean-trawls have their 

 upper edge always at the surface, and their foot should 

 be so near the ground as to prevent the escape of the 

 fish in that direction. The superficial extent of water 

 in Lochfyne in which these nets can be effectively 

 worked must therefore be quite insignificant compared 

 with that in which the drift-nets can be and are used ; and 

 if the latter barriers have no perceptible efiect in keeping 

 the herrings out of Lochfyne, it appears incredible that 

 nets used in a certain few localities alongshore should 

 be able to accomplish it. Sean-trawls, however, are 

 sometimes used in deep water as circle-nets, but with 

 much less effect than where they can touch the ground, 

 as the herrings, when alarmed, strike downwards and 

 have a good chance of escape. How soon the fish may 

 thus become frightened as the circle of netting is slowly 

 and silently contracted around them is of course very 

 uncertain ; but it is clear that it cannot be very early 

 in the process, or it would never be worth while for 

 the fishermen to attempt to work the nets in deep 

 water. The time at which the fish are evidently 

 disturbed is when the net is so nearlv hauled in that 



