NORTH SEA INVESTIGATIONS. 141 
Coal-fish (Gadus virens), whether from liners or trawlers, are 
common enough in Grimsby market, and the trawlers often bring in 
a few large pollack (G. pollachius), the largest I have measured 
being forty-three inches in total length. Both of these species are 
extensively bought by country hawkers, who scrape off the scales, 
and find a ready sale for them under the title of “‘ white salmon.’’ 
Conclusions. 
To return to matters more essentially germane to the subject 
under discussion in these remarks, I would submit that the present 
condition of the Iceland trawl-fishery forms no insignificant argument 
for preventing the destruction of undersized fish. I think it will 
be admitted that if the market could once be cleared of the 
immense quantities of small plaice which flood it during the summer 
months an improvement of price for full-grown fish, by no means 
confined to that species, would be one of the first results; at the 
same time the large quantities of haddock, torsk, &c., which are at 
present wasted, would, by becoming moderately profitable to the 
fisherman, serve to supply the market sufficiently to prevent any 
undue strain on the purse of the consumer; at the same time the 
present practice of fouling the Iceland grounds with dead fish 
would be checked, to their incalculable benefit. It matters little by 
what means the sale of small plaice is prevented so long as it is 
done effectually ; and though I see no reason to alter my opinion that 
the enforcement of a reasonable size-limit for flat-fish is the most 
feasible plan, I am quite prepared to bow to the superior wisdom of 
those in favour of geographical restrictions, whenever, by such 
means, their object shall have been attained. 
I have before this endeavoured to show that the size-limit for 
plaice which I have recommended would have the same result as the 
geographical restrictions generally desired in closing the eastern 
grounds of the North Sea to trawlers; and if this object is attained, 
by whatever means, it becomes apparent that we must look for an 
outlet for our boats during the summer months. Such, in my 
opinion, is offered by the Iceland grounds, and, as we have seen, the 
steam trawlers have largely availed themselves of it. It cannot be 
denied, however, that smacks working there would be liable to risks 
which at present are more or less prohibitive. It is a dangerous 
coast, apparently not too well charted, subject to fogs, and hardly 
lighted at all. It is a great distance from our ports, and it is 
absolutely impossible for a vessel which may be disabled there to 
refit without sending for supplies from home. It appears, therefore, 
that whilst single boating would be out of the question, smack-owners 
