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sent material advantages to what may be considered some- 
what problematical benefits in the future. We must be 
prepared to give full and accurate information as to the 
economic effects of any suggested restrictions the effects, 
that is, upon the fishermen and others engaged in the 
industry, and upon the markets and supply to the public, 
as well as upon the shrimp and fish populations in the sea. 
We desire to know, amongst other things : 
(1) The number of boats and men employed in 
shrimping on each of the grounds. 
(2) The produce of the fishery throughout the year, 
and especially during certain periods—March to June, 
July to September and October to February. 
(5) The approximate amount of destruction of young 
fishes under various circumstances. 
(4) The subsidiary interests involved, e.g., potting and 
selling the shrimps. 
(5) The probable effect upon employment which 
would be produced by the imposition of a close season. 
(6) The extent to which foreign preserved shrimps 
are imported, and the probable effect of any change in 
restrictions upon such mmportation. 
In regard to some of these matters we already have 
a good deal of information, and can readily obtain more. 
For example :— 
Under (1)—There are now 70 boats fishing on our 
coasts hailing from Southport and Marshside alone, all 
engaged in shrimping at some time of the year. These 
are all half-decked boats, and most of them have been 
built during the last six years. The catching power of 
this fleet is said to be now ten times as great as was the 
case 25 years ago. Hach boat is worked by two men, and 
the takings are divided into 5 shares, of which each 
man takes two and the boat the fifth share. Each 
