146 BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 
it does not appear that great practical benefit has resulted from the regulations 
for preserving the fisheries on the high seas. 
It is easy to exaggerate the evil effects of fishing on the bottom species. 
Nearly six centuries ago, in England under Edward III, there was an agitation 
against the use of beam trawls, and petitions in Parliament gave visions of the 
speedy and complete ruin of the fisheries unless the use of this form of apparatus 
was interdicted; and yet trawling has continued undiminished from that time; 
indeed, it has never been more extensive than in recent years, and the sea has 
continually repaired the loss. 
In 1890 there was a conference of representatives of European nations to 
discuss the question of remedial measures for the preservation of the demersal 
fishes of the deep seas about Europe. This conference was held at London, 
under the auspices of the National Sea Fisheries Protective Association, and was 
attended by delegates from Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Great 
Britain, the Netherlands, and Spain. It was unofficial in the sense that the 
Governments were not bound by its conclusions, but the delegates were among 
the most prominent officials connected with the fishery service of their respective 
countries. 
The conference had particular reference to some arrangement for saving 
the small or immature flatfish and especially those taken by means of beam or 
otter trawls.¢ The discussion related especially to the need for such action 
and to the particular species which required protection; also to the desirability 
for protecting the spawning fish and for reserving certain portions of the North 
Sea for breeding purposes, at least for a portion of the year. 
There was a general consensus of opinion as to the desirability of restraint 
on the capture of undersized flatfish, but it was not found practicable to arrive 
at definite recommendation to the several Governments leading to an inter- 
national agreement or arrangement. However, the following resolutions were 
adopted: 
That this conference considers it desirable that an official international conference 
of European maritime powers should be held with the view of concluding a convention 
for the prohibition of the landing and sale of undersized flatfish within their respective 
jurisdictions. 
This conference, moreover, considers it desirable that, before the official conference 
meets, the different nations interested in the sea fisheries of European waters will col- 
@ The chief proposals for dealing with the capture of immature fish were thus summarized by 
Sir Thomas Boyd, chairman of the Fishery Board for Scotland: (1) Simply to prevent the sale of fish 
under a fixed size, without in any way interfering with the mode of fishing or the place of fishing. The 
disadvantage is that such a measure would not prevent their capture and destruction, since they must 
be taken in the ordinary way of fishing; (2) besides prohibiting their sale, to make regulations with 
the object of preventing their capture or destruction, viz: (a) By closing certain areas where young 
fish are supposed to be especially abundant; (b) by enlarging the mesh of the nets and fixing by lawa 
minimum size of mesh. This would be a useful measure, and would enable many immature fish to 
escape, but large numbers would still be retained; (c) by compelling trawlers and line fishermen to 
return undersized fish to the sea in such a condition that they would live. 
