346 



DEEP-SEA FISHING. 



and the probable consequence is that neither set of 

 returns can be regarded as strictly correct. 



The difference between them in the number of fishing 

 boats is as much as 536, as may be seen in the following 

 comparative account of the three classes ; — 



The Inspectors further divide each of these classes of 

 fishing boats into three groups, according as the boats 

 are solely employed for fishing, mostly, or only occa- 

 sionally so; and those persons who have been accus- 

 tomed to associate fishing boats with the idea of regular 

 fishing will probably be somewhat startled to find the 

 Inspectors reporting that of the total of 7914 boats, 

 6116 or more than three-fourths, with crews of 22,747 

 men, do not on an average fish altogether a month in 

 the year. This is said to be owing to the exposed 

 character of some portions of the coast, particularly on 

 the north and west, where even good-sized and well- 

 found boats would be often unable to work ; to the want 

 of suitable boats in many places, and the deficiency of 

 gear; the distance from markets and difficulties of 

 transport. 



During the eleven months when these boats are not 



^ This return is taken from that issued by the Eegistrar-General of Sliipping, 

 who receives his information from the Customs ; but the Customs return, as 

 ])ublished in the Appendix to the Inspector's Eeport for the same year, gives 

 8534 boats, showing a difference of 84 between the two totals professedly 

 obtained from the same source. 



^ The correctness of this return is also open to doubt, as in the Clifden 

 Coastguard district there is said to have been in 1872 an increase of 119 boats, 

 with a decrease of 75G men and boys since 1871. 



