41 



doubted. But this, so far from being prejudicial to the 

 public, has already been shewn to be a very great benefit, 

 and consequently to afford an insuperable argument in 

 favour of the extension of the new mode of fishing. 

 And it is not true, that the introduction of stake-nets 

 at the fisheries of the lower heritors, would, in any other 

 way, affect the interests of the upper heritors, than as an 

 opening up of their monopoly. 



It is not necessary to dispute, that an immense num- 

 ber of Salmon might be caught by stake-nets, if the use of 

 them was freely allowed, as it ought to be, in the friths 

 and estuaries, and all along the open shores of the sea. 

 It is the immense increase in the produce of the fish- 

 ery, which would follow from the permission of stake- 

 nets, that forms one chief ground for desiring a re- 

 visal and amendment of this part of the existing law 

 The produce of the fishery would possibly exceed all that 

 has ever been contemplated.* But it is a vulgar error to 



* The progress of stake-net fishing, has hitherto been re- 

 tarded, both by its fluctuating and hazardous character, and 

 by the want of persons of sufficient capital, knowledge, and 

 experience, to prosecute the fishery. To construct a stake- 

 net properly, while it requires some capital, and an inti- 

 mate knowledge of the habits of the fish, and of the currents 

 and tides on the coast, requires a\so no small portion of na- 

 tural talent. It often happens, that one man will catch a vast 

 number of fish, where another, wanting the same skill ami in- 

 genuity, altogether fails. There is so much difficulty in se- 

 lecting a proper station, in placing the leaders of the net, so 

 as to be effective, in choosing the proper scite for the cham- 

 bers, where the fish will be most subject to capture, and in con. 



F 



