10 FISHERIES OF THE NORTH SEA 



arm of the Navy from which both ships 

 and men are drawn for naval services, 

 largely of special, and, as events have 

 proved, of most important and invaluable 

 character. . . . The Navy has claimed for 

 naval duties more than 75 per cent of the 

 first-class fishing vessels, and more than 

 50 per cent of the total number of fisher- 

 men of all ages, including boys, engaged 

 in the fishing industry. ... As a result of 

 the demands of the Navy, combined with 

 necessary restrictions of fishing operations, 

 the quantity of fish landed by British 

 fishing vessels is now about 30 per cent of 

 the normal/' 



The following chapters are written with 

 a view to giving the salient features of the 

 industry, avoiding all detail, and making 

 the account as short, simple, and uncon- 

 troversial as possible. It is hoped that 

 those at present unacquainted with the 

 nature of our fisheries will acquire some 

 interest and information from this effort 

 to explain a constantly misrepresented 

 and often much maligned industry. Those 

 who desire fuller and more scientific know- 

 ledge of the ocean and its conditions of life, 



