ANCHOVIES OFF THE SOUTH COAST OP ENGLAND. 269 



In each case I received a most courteous reply giving all the 

 information desired. 



On the south of France the anchovy is fished in the same way as 

 the sardine, by means of the drift-net. Each boat carries 200 

 fathoms of net made up of four pieces. Each piece or band is from 

 8 to 10 or 12 metres wide. The mesh varies slightly in each band^ 

 the largest being sixteen to the pan (a pan being equal to "25 

 metres) the smallest — in which the anchovies are taken — eighteen to 

 the pan. The net is shot at a great distance from the shore and 

 the boat made fast to it as in this country. A net of this descrip- 

 tion costs 1200 francs (£50). 



On the south coast of Spain anchovies are fished for in two 

 ways, one a drift-net method similar to what has already been 

 described, the other by using a seine-net worked in shallow water, 

 the shoals of fish being surrounded and dragged on shore. 



Signor E,affaele, writing from Naples, also describes a drift and a 

 seine-net in use round the coasts of Italy and Sicily. The drift-net 

 is 600 metres in length and 20 to 30 metres in height (say 656 X 

 26 yards). It is shot in a line parallel to the shore, and can be 

 arranged at different depths, towards the surface at night and in the 

 early morning, but at a greater depth during the heat of the day. 

 It is composed of three pieces, and has a mesh varying from 1 

 to 2 cm. 



The drift-net may therefore be considered the most important 

 system in France, Spain, and Italy, the seine-net being used as a 

 convenient method when a sandy shore exists. 



Raffaele adds that pilchards are taken along with anchovies by 

 the shore seine-nets of Italy. 



In the Zuyder Zee, where the water is very shallow, three methods 

 are used. A long net only about four feet deep, having the ends 

 kept extended by means of poles, is moored in favourable localities. 

 In order that it may maintain its proper position it is corked and 

 leaded in the ordinary manner. Near Bergen op Zoom immense 

 screens are constructed of willows and poplars. These appear to 

 act similarly to leaders in a salmon bag-net, as openings at certain 

 places allow of the anchovies being netted. Also a curious 

 kind of trawl is used. The net is similar in shape to an otter- 

 trawl or Thames stow-net. It is dragged along by two boats 

 sailing a parallel course before the wind. 



Considering the conditions existing in the south-west coast of 

 England we decided upon the drift net as being the most likely to 

 render good results, and, having received estimates for the making 

 of an anchovy net, I ordered from Mr. Matthias Dunn, of Meva- 

 gissey, five nets, each to be 120 yards long- and 30 score deep 



