39 



of only 4'4 per cent, tlie water supplied to the hatchery 

 was almost invariably at the normal specific gravity 1"0270, 

 only once sinking to 1"0'264. 



In the event of the salinity at Piel remaining fairly 

 constant, and provided that the water can be successfully 

 filtered, a hatchery placed there would in all probability be 

 a success, and the same might be said of Hoylake which 

 has also been suggested as a site for a hatchery, but in 

 both cases the initial difficulty, the muddiness of the water, 

 has still to be overcome. Hence we are led to the con- 

 clusion that in place of a hatchery for Lancashire being 

 established at Piel Island and one for Cheshire at Hoylake 

 it would be much better if the various County Councils 

 and Fishery Boards* having jurisdiction over the terri- 

 torial waters of the Irish sea could see their way to unite 

 in promoting a fish hatchery at Port Erin for the benefit 

 of the entire area. 



In concluding this section of the report we desire to 

 re-state what we regard as one of the most fundamental 

 points which can come before the consideration of a Sea- 

 Fisheries Committee: viz., that there are two methods by 

 which the decadence of a fishery may be checked, (1) by 

 killing fewer undersized fish, and (2) by adding to the 

 total number of fish living in the district. Consequently 

 it is most desirable and important that Sea-Fishery 

 Committees all round the coast should, in addition to any 

 restrictive legislation that may be required, undertake 

 directly productive action such as sea-fish hatching and 

 rearing, and aquiculture in general. 



* A measure has passed the House of Keys and has lately been promulgated 

 conferring powers to make fishery bye-laws and other regulations upou a 

 Committee in the Isle of Man. 



