35 



peratiire, salinity, etc., be taken at various depths at sea in 

 order to throw furtlier light on the question. 



It need hardly be pointed out that the fuller information 

 and investigation of the various factors which influence the 

 fish supply are of urgent necessity from a purely practical point 

 of view. Even should it prove that some or all of these are 

 beyond control, to which indeed some of the evidence seems 

 to point, yet their elucidation will be of the utmost importance, 

 if only to prevent legislation in futile or injurious directions, 

 and may prove of a more direct use in indicating in what 

 regions fish may or may not be expected to be found. Thus, 

 to take a concrete example, strong and continued south-east 

 winds may be found to be associated with the presence of the 

 colder waters and their characteristic fish, such as the Snoek. 

 On the other hand, in the absence of such winds, the fish 

 characteristic of warmer waters may more profitably be looked 

 for. 



The proper control of injurious methods of fishing if proved 

 to be injurious, the imposition of close seasons, size limits, or 

 even protection in certain areas are therefore obviously bound 

 up with an accurate knowledge of the physical conditions of 

 life in the sea. 



Finally, it must be recognised also that whatever the cause 

 may be, the history of nearly all fisheries is that the fishermen 

 have to resort to more effective methods of fishing, and that 

 the small open boats at first in use become no longer adequate 

 to meet requirements. Fishermen are often of a conservative 

 disposition, and as often are unable to provide the means for 

 such improvements. In many countries the State has come 

 to their assistance, and by a system of judicious loans has 

 considerably advanced the industry. The South African 

 native fishermen are, in these respects, no exception to fisher- 

 men in general, and some such system may also prove of great 

 advantage in the development of this section of the industry 

 in this country. The improved harbour accommodation about 

 to be provided by Government at Table Bay and Kalk Bay 

 will render it possible for the fishermen to use larger and 

 better equipped boats, in place of the small open boats, which 

 have to be carried ashore out of reach of the sea on their 

 return from fishing operations. The present time, therefore, 

 is suitable for the initiation of some such system. The greatest 

 advance in the industry is of course to be looked for from 

 independent companies, such as the trawling companies, in 

 no need of such assistance, but there will always remain plenty 

 of scope for the native fishermen, whose field of operation lies 

 closer inshore 



[C.P. 6-'i4.] 



