16 THE HEERING FISHERIES. 



apparently of the same species, are sometimes very abundant 

 there. Sir William says that for excellence and delicacy of 

 flavour this fish cannot be surpassed, being considered superior 

 to the common herring of Scotland, and that, preserved in 

 oil in the manner of sardines, it would eclipse even those 

 delicacies. 



In respect to the value of these fishes from an economic 

 point of view, Sir William Macleay remarks that it is certain 

 that, so far as the immediate vicinity of Sydney is concerned, 

 the two species referred to, as well as some others of perhaps 

 less note, annually in the winter seasons pass the Heads, 

 proceeding in a northerly direction in enormous shoals. That 

 these fishes are of great value as food, and that they might 

 be utilised to an almost unlimited extent in various ways, 

 scarcely admit of question. The establishment, however, 

 of a new industry, such as a herring fishery, in New South 

 Wales, would be a difiicult and costly thing, and could not 

 be undertaken with hope of immediate returns. He instances 

 the British Pishery Society, established about the end of the 

 last century for the prosecution of the herring fishery in the 

 north of Scotland, which laboured for many years before it 

 became a complete success, though for a long time it was 

 largely assisted by the Government with grants, bounties, 

 &c. So likewise, he says, it must be here before much can 

 be done. In the absence of Government aid or the resources 

 of a wealthy company ready to undertake the establishment 

 of fisheries on our shores, all that can be attempted is the 

 endeavour to acquire an aquaintance with the history and 

 habits of the finny tribes. Sir William concludes his 

 remarks on the interesting subject of a possible herring 

 fishery in New South'Wales with the very practical suggestion 

 that all those who have opportunities, such as fishermen, 

 masters of coastmg vessels, &c., should make notes of where 

 and lolien they came across shoals of fish ; the kinds of fish, 

 of which a specimen or two should l^e placed in spirits for 

 identification ; the direction in which the shoals were 

 moving ; the apparent extent of them ; whethei' the fish 

 were full or spent ; and of any other items occurring to the 

 observer at the time. 



