50 THE FISHERIES OF THE ADRIATIC, 



dependent on the Italian trawlers, such as the flat-fish tribe, the Norway 

 lobster, and other kinds inhabiting the deep sea-bed. 



The complaints that are made against the Chioggiotti are based chiefly 

 upon the small-meshed nets in use by them ; that they fish the greater part of 

 the year, and closer in-shore than their treaty-right admits, owing to which 

 facts, it is contended, they disturb the spawning grounds (which has been shown 

 to be a popular fallacy), and that they either catch or destroy a quantity of 

 worthless fry. 



The fact is, they offer great competition to the local fishermen, in as far as 

 by their greater industry and laboriousness they are to a large extent enabled 

 to regulate the market prices, whereas the local fishermen would prefer a 

 monopoly in their favour, do as little work, and make as high prices as 

 possible. 



The question as to the spawn having been disproved, there remains the 

 complaint as to the young fry, in respect of which is to be said that, un- 

 doubtedly, the local fishermen do infinitely more damage themselves by the 

 use of the ground or foot-seine, worked off-shore, or in shallow creeks and 

 bays, — a mode of fishing most commonly in use all the year round, and very 

 pernicious to the development of the fry. 



On the other hand, there is no doubt that the Italians do often fish closer 

 in shore than they have the right to do, and this they should avoid in their 

 own interest ; moreover, they are subject to the municipal laws wherever 

 they happen to be, and the municipalities are able to enforce the rules as to 

 the season of their fishing, and the limits which they should not overstep, 

 by withdrawing their licences in cases of contravention. 



In any case, the privilege derived by the treaty to the Italian fishermen 

 of the Venetian estuary is the source of sustenance to a great number of the 

 Italian population of that coast, and its withdrawal would cause great misery ; 

 and it would be difficult for them to find a new field of action which would 

 compensate them for their loss. 



The average number of Italian boats fishing in the Austrian-Hungarian 

 waters is about 600, of 6,000 tons burden, and a crew of 2,500 men : of these, 

 580 — 590 hail from Chioggia, the remaining 10 — 20 being Romagnoli. 



