142 NORTH SEA INVESTIGATIONS. 
could hardly think of sending their fleets there without establishing 
depots on the island and arranging for some improvement in the 
lighting during the fishing season. The establishment of depdts 
would of course bring profit to the inhabitants, and for this con- 
sideration the Government of the latter might perhaps be induced 
to undertake the duties of lighting and of improving the present 
harbour accommodation, which is, I understand, of the scantiest. I 
make these suggestions with all due deference, since those engaged 
in the North Sea fishing trade are about the last persons to be — 
accused of a want of enterprise or of incapability of safe-guarding 
their own interests ; but I have no doubt that the check on the fish 
supply of the North Sea, which, until the beneficial action of such 
has time to make itself felt, must ensue from legislative action, or, in 
the absence of that, the continued depletion of the grounds, will 
before long result in the establishment of Iceland fleeting during 
the summer, 
