THE IMPOVERISHMENT OF THE SEA. 



27 



catches at the end of the period averaged not more than about 200 

 cwts. per vessel, whereas they were nearly 1,000 cwts. in 1867, and 

 were obviously not less than 600 or 700 cwts. in any of the years from 

 1860 to 1864, unless the high averages of offal in Mr. Knott's returns 

 are to be attributed exclusively to the exceptional abundance of haddock. 

 These conclusions show that the depletion which has actually 

 occurred in the North Sea is principally due to an enormous reduction 

 in the abundance of flat-fish, both prime and plaice, the catches under 

 each head about 1890 being less than one-fifth and one-third respectively 

 of the quantities taken from twenty-five to thirty years previously. 

 The catches of haddock have also diminished, but to a less extent, 

 viz. from an average of over 800 cwts. per vessel to less than 500 cwts. 



II. Official Statistics of the Grimsby Fisheries, 1886-99. 



The smack-owners' returns, from which the foregoing conclusions 

 have been drawn, bear internal evidences of their substantial accuracy, 

 but to make assurance doubly sure upon this important point I subjoin 

 a statement as to the condition of the Grimsby fisheries since 1885, 

 based upon returns which have been kindly placed at my disjDosal 

 by the Great Central Eailway Company, and upon the Grimsby 

 Eegisters of Fishing Vessels published in the Annual Statements of 

 Navigation and Shipping. 



Table VI., illustrating the state of the Grimsby Fisheries {of all hi7ids) 

 from 1886 to 1899, and showing for each year the Numhcr of first 

 class Fishing Vessels on the Register, the Total Weight of Fish sent 

 inland by Hail, and the Average Weight {tons) of Fish per Unit of 

 Fishing Power, each Steamer being regarded as equivalent to four 



Smacks. • Fish sent inland by 



Fishing Vessels (First Class). Rail (tons). 



