ii 4 THE FISHERIES OF THE ADRIATIC, 



the fish, finding no issue at the sides, which form an impervious barrier, rush 

 to the bag, whence there is no escape for them. 



Foremost amongst these is, — 



The Tratta di Sdrdelle ( Tratta grande cT estate). The employment of this 

 net is subject to certain provisoes — instituted by a Regolamento, or enactment, 

 of Dandolo, the French Provveditore of Dalmatia in 1808, and subsequently 

 revised by an enactment of 1S61, — according to which the proprietors of 

 nets, wishing to fish during the ensuing seasons, have to register their 

 application before the municipal authorities, and later on to appear in person. 

 Their nets and boats are subject to inspection, and those that are in 

 proper condition are divided into groups, called Broschctti, to each of which 

 suitable fishing tracts, i.e., small creeks and bays with flat beds, called Paste, 

 are allotted, which they subdivide amongst themselves by drawing lots. 

 The object of this supervision is to insure the due and proper exercise of 

 the fisheries, upon the yield of which so large a part of the community 

 depends either directly or indirectly. 



The fishing is carried on only during dark nights of the months of May, 

 June, July, August, and September, i.e., more or less during 21 nights of each 

 month, or 105 nights in all. 



The Regolamento requires three boats for each net ; one of these is the 

 Gaeta, which carries the fire-basket and a supply of fire-wood for one night, 

 and is termed the Luminiero. An experienced fisherman proceeds in this 

 boat about a mile from the shore in search of the Sardines (Sardelle), which 

 he leads into the bay, 1 where, at a distance of 300 to 500 m. from the shore, 

 they are enclosed in the net, the manipulation of which is carried on on board 

 a second boat called Lento. The net is then hauled ashore, and the depth of 

 the bag {Panza, Saeeo) is regulated, i.e., drawn up, or lowered, according to 

 the position of the fish in the water, and the depth of the water itself, by 

 a line which is worked on board a third small boat which follows in the wake 

 of the net. The net is 120-200 m. in length, sometimes longer; depth of 

 bag, 20-40 m. ; mesh, 2 c. ; cost, 600-800 fl. and upwards. 



1 See description given under the heading Boats (Gaeta). 



