u 



THE IMrOVERISHMENT OF THE SEA. 



fish owing to the increased demand. There is abundant evidence in the 

 reports of the various Sea Fishery Commissions that in the palmier 

 days of the trawling industry large quantities of the less valuable fish 

 were thrown away at every haul to leave room for a greater quantity of 

 the better kinds. Conditions have changed in more recent times, and 

 the fisherman, under ordinary circumstances, brings home all he can 

 catch. The increase under " rough " fish is, therefore, evidence rather 

 of an increased attention to the less valuable kinds than of an in- 

 creased abundance. The catches of haddock fluctuate considerably, as 

 is natural with so migratory a fish ; but there can be no doubt, even in 

 this case, as in that of prime fish, that a greater abundance was main- 

 tained in the earlier part of the period than in the later years. 



The following summary shows the average annual catch during 

 successive periods of five years' duration. 



Table V., showing a Quinquennial Summary of the preceding table. 



