44 THE FISHERIES OF THE ADRIATIC, 



The disinclination of migratory fish to enter, in certain seasons, water 

 which they otherwise frequent has been shown to extend to waters where 

 trawling is unknown ; and this amply proves that the periodical scarcity of 

 fish which is noticed in other places has nothing to do with trawling. 



The disappearance of fish from waters where trawling was carried on has 

 repeatedly led to the usual outcry against trawlers, but the dispute invariably 

 ends in the reappearance of the fish the next season, notwithstanding the 

 trawlers. 



It must be remarked that most of the charges against trawlers are due to 

 the idea that the spawn of fish is destroyed by their action. But the notion 

 is now exploded, since it has been proved that the spawn of most deep-sea 

 fish is not deposited at the bottom, but floats freely in the water, and there is 

 not the least evidence of spawn being destroyed by the action of the trawl. 1 



One of more important innovations, the importance of which cannot be 

 over-estimated, is the regular publication of detailed statistics on everything 

 appertaining to the fisheries ; by this means, an opportunity is given 

 of finding out what is wanting, and where a screw may be loose. The 

 issue of such statistics rests with the Marine Section ; their great difficulty, 

 however, is to overcome the suspicions of the fishermen, who are always 

 inclined to think that information of the kind is required with a view 

 to an increase of taxation : hence we may conclude that, as a rule, they are 

 understated. Thus, their reliance is doubtful on the face of them, yet, by their 

 regular recurrence, a standard is obtained by means of which inferences may 

 be drawn, and this is their principal value. By such means we have the 

 opportunity of ascertaining to some extent the quantities of fish annually 

 brought to market, which, hitherto, we have only been able to judge approxi- 

 mately : there is no reason to doubt its increase, but it is only by the aid of 

 figures that comparisons can be made and conclusions drawn, and elsewhere it 

 has become an accepted fact, that where railway communication exists the 

 more important a place as a fishing-station, the more difficult it is for the local 

 inhabitants to procure fish. 



1 See "Sea Fisheries." By E. W. H. Holdsworth, F.L.S., F.Z.S., &c. London : 1S77. 



