100 BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 
the same kind, and there is the further objection that the reservation of par- 
ticular areas to particular classes of vessels would involve great difficulty and 
expense in watching. It is clear, therefore, that after minimizing as far as pos- 
sible the opportunities of collision by a well-considered system of signals, the 
next step is to minimize the damage resulting from inevitable casualties and to 
provide for the restoration of the damaged gear to the owners and for payment 
of compensation for the injuries inflicted. 
With these objects in view the several powers bordering on the North Sea 
have entered into a series of conventions under which a fairly comprehensive 
code of regulations has been adopted, providing for the following matters: 
(1) The clear delimitation of the areas within which the joint regulations 
were to apply. 
(2) The adoption of easily recognizable marks of identification for both 
boats and gear. 
(3) The protection of a vessel already engaged in fishing from undue inter- 
ference by another boat arriving on the fishing grounds later. 
(4) Provision for the restoration to the owner of gear accidentally carried 
away or picked up at sea. 
(5) Provision for the prosecution of claims for compensation for damage 
in default of agreement. 
(6) The assessment and recovery of damages duly adjudged. 
(7) The prohibition of willful damage and enforcement of due diligence and 
care in releasing gear accidentally fouled. 
(8) The enforcement of the regulations by the national vessels of all the 
contracting powers, with right of arrest in case of necessity. 
RESULTS ACHIEVED. 
A quarter of a century’s experience of the working of this convention—while 
showing that it is incomplete in many details and is capable of improvement in 
order to fit it to deal adequately with the changing conditions of the fishing 
industry—has demonstrated that, given a frank recognition of equal rights, it 
is possible so to harmonize the apparently conflicting interests of different classes 
of fishermen, belonging to different nationalities that a spirit of mutual forbear- 
ance will take the place of jealousy, ill feeling, and suspicion, and law and order 
will supplant violence and outrage. In this connection, two conclusions present 
themselves: (1) That these results can only be obtained by the assertion of the 
superior force of authority and (2) that a very slight display of the resources of 
duly constituted government power is sufficient to secure the observance of the 
regulations. In the absence of such show of authority, however, there will 
always be men, who, however familiar with the law, and however much accus- 
tomed to its observance wherever there is provision for its enforcement, will seize 
