116 THE SEA-FISHERIES [PART I 



that they are sold as such, but this is not an impossible trans- 

 action. The importation of Dutch shrimps is one manifestation of 

 the effects of our fiscal system on which Southport fishermen hold 

 strong opinions. 



The shellfish gatherers are, in the language of Mr Wells, the 

 " Abyss " of the fishing industry. It is true that very many of 

 these people are fairly prosperous, and apparently earn a sufficiency, 

 but nevertheless one meets with the " dregs " of the fishing 

 population among the people who gather mussels, cockles, and the 

 like. They work hard, endure much physical discomfort, and are 

 generally poorly paid for it. No one troubles about them, and 

 restrictive legislation only inflicts hardship upon them, in many 

 cases, without producing any obviously useful results. Some day 

 perhaps machinery may be evolved for the collection of the shell- 

 fish of our shores. Cockles may be gathered by some ploughing 

 of the sands, and mussels will be dredged by motor boats. The 

 industry will then be systematised and reduced to order, but 

 whether the shellfish gatherers will be greatly benefited may well 

 be doubted. 



