388 DEEP-SEA FISHING. 



lines and nets. Cod, ling, and haddock abound on this 

 coast in winter, the cod and ling remaining till about 

 the end of April, and the haddock for a month or six 

 weeks later. An association under the name of the 

 Inisbofin Fishing Company (Limited) was formed a few 

 years ago for the purpose of purchasing the fish caught 

 by the men at Bofin Island and in that neighbourhood ; 

 but, as with many other fishing companies which have 

 had a short existence, there appears to have been in 

 this case a want of practical knowledge of what could 

 be done. There was undoubtedly an abundance of fish 

 on the coast, but the means of catching it were very 

 limited ; and as the company did not profess to do more 

 than purchase, it is not very surprising that the concern 

 should have come to an end after a short experience. 

 The head-quarters of this company were at Belfast, 

 althougli the intended scene of its operations was far 

 away on the other side of tlie island. The affairs of the 

 company were wound up in 1872. 



An endeavour to construct a boat harbour at Bofin is 

 now being made, and its completion will be a great 

 boon to the fishermen, who are almost without protec- 

 tion for their boats on one of the most exposed parts of 

 the coast. We may reasonably hope it will be followed 

 by an improvement in the fishery there, for the inhabi- 

 tants have little inducement to devote much of their time 

 to other occupations, and there is no doubt about there 

 being plenty of fish within their reach. 



Clew Bay is chiefly notable for its oyster fishery, 

 dredging being extensively carried on among the 

 numerous islands at its eastern end, and a considerable 

 portion of foreshore has been licensed for tlie purposes 

 of cultivation, but hitherto, we believe, without much 

 advantage. 



