well as scientific matters. A few examples will illustrate this 

 better than any general statement. Thus, it has been pro- 

 posed to prohibit fishing in certain areas, thereby depriving 

 fishermen of their only means of livelihood, it being alleged 

 that their methods of fishing destroy the young and " spawn" 

 of fish. The most contradictory statements are made by 

 fishermen as to the facts of the case. The same is alleged 

 concerning the " disturbance of the feeding ground " of fish. 

 Certain small fish, including Crawfish, protected by law, are 

 alleged to be different species from the larger forms which it is 

 intended to protect. Again, it has been alleged that at certain 

 times fish migrate along a definite course, and are 

 driven off by fishing operations in those areas. The de- 

 crease, or alleged decrease in the supply of fish is attributed to 

 certain methods of fishing, which, it is therefore urged, should 

 be abolished, and not to natural causes, which there is reason 

 to believe further investigation into the currents, temperature, 

 etc., of the sea will prove to be the real factors at work. Some 

 of these difficulties have already been solved by scientific 

 investigation, but frequently the Government of the country 

 when appealed to, is put in the position of merely weighing 

 the unfounded statements of one interested party against those 

 of another, for lack of such information. 



[C.P. 6-'i4.] 



