46 THE FISHERIES OF THE ADRIATIC, 



own trade, or in saving the lives of their fellow-creatures from the fury 

 of the deep. 



The difference in the conformation of the Eastern and Western shores, 

 the iron-bound character of the Western coast, the want of safe harbours and 

 secure anchorage-grounds, as compared with the advantages which the 

 Eastern coast affords, alike to the development of animal life and the industry 

 of man, — these causes, combined with the proximity of the two shores, have 

 necessarily led to the encroachment of the Italians on the rights of the 

 Austrian- Hungarian fishermen, and to everlasting quarrels which descend 

 from the most remote times, recurring on identical grounds. 



Vice-Consul Count Antonio Marazzi has written a very interesting report 1 

 on the subject of the fishermen of Chioggia, and the laws regulating the 

 fisheries in the Adriatic : from it much of the foresjoino- and following 

 remarks are gleaned. 



It appears that the privilege of the Italian fishermen to exercise their 

 industry on the Eastern shores is based on usage rather than on right ; yet 

 the privilege seems to have been recognised under the Venetian Republic, as 

 may be seen by their ordinances, and the custom is so fully established that 

 Austria- Hungary has thought fit to recognise — or may be to tolerate — the 

 continuation of the practice under the commercial treaty with Italy, subject, 

 however, to the rights of the local fishermen and the municipal laws. This 

 concession, or privilege, granted to the Italians by Austria, has become a 

 matter of such importance to the Italians, that it was one of the main 

 levers by which the renewal of the commercial treaty with Italy was brought 

 about by Austria in 1878, it may be said, at the twelfth hour. 



The regulations, decrees, and ordinances bearing upon the fisheries on 

 the Austrian coast have retained an exclusively local character, and have not 

 been embodied in a general law. 



The exclusive rights originate from three titles, viz : — 



1. Privata proprieta (private property) ; 



2. Baronia (seigneurie) ; 



3. Comune (communal) ; 



1 " Bollettino Consolare " of July, 1873. 



