73G 



THE SOVEREIGNTY OF THE SEA 



protection against overfishing was required ; and, if so, where, 

 wlim, and how such protection should be given. 1 Much strong 

 criticism has been passed as to the origin, the methods, and the 

 programme of these investigations, 2 and while they have natur- 

 ally resulted in large additions to our knowledge of the physical 



1 "2. The delegates should propose that the scientific investigations shall be 

 accompanied by a practical expose of the steps to be taken in order to bring the 

 exercise of sea-fishing more in accord with the natural conditions regulating the 

 growth and increase of fish in our seas, and thus permanently increase the supply 

 of fish in the markets of the countries adjoining the North Sea. 3. In making 

 this proposal, which they should do at the outset, the delegates should make it 

 clear that the principal object the British Government have in directing them to 

 take part in the Conference, is to secure a careful inquiry into the effect of present 

 methods of fishing in the North Sea ; and the delegates should give every assistance 

 in promoting a scheme for determining whether protection against overfishing is 

 needed, and, if so, where, when, and how such protection should be given. 4. The 

 delegates should propose that a thorough scheme for obtaining statistical informa- 

 tion with regard to the quantity and quality of fish caught by the different methods 

 of fishing shall be organised, with a view of determining whether protection against 

 overfishing is needed, either by the prohibition of trawling in certain selected areas 

 or the limitation of fishing during certain selected seasons." Instructions to the 

 British Delegates for the Meeting at Stockholm, 15th June 1899 ; Reports of the 

 British Delegates, &c., p. 13. Parl. Papers, Cd. 1313, 1903 ; Committee on 

 Fishery Investigations, Minutes of Evidence, &c. , p. 278, Parl. Papers, Cd. 4304, 

 1908. The instructions of the British Government to the Delegates for the Meet- 

 ing in 1901, at Christiauia, were of similar tenour : "His Majesty's Government 

 fully share in the interest shown in the cause of scientific research, but having re- 

 gard to the importance of the evidence which was laid before the Select Committee 

 of the House of Commons [see p. 709], and which was adopted by them as showing 

 that the supply of fish in the North Sea is decreasing, they are of opinion that the 

 consideration of this subject will admit of no delay, and you should press on your 

 foreign colleagues the importance of entering at once upon the pursuit of investi- 

 gations calculated to lead to an international agreement. You should in no way 

 discourage or check any desire which you may find to exist for scientific research 

 into problems not so immediately pressing, but his Majesty's Government place in 

 the forefront of their reasons for taking part in the forthcoming Committee the 

 desire that no delay should be incurred in the adoption, by international agreement, 

 of measures for arresting the diminution of the supply of fish in the North Sea, 

 and for restoring, as far as possible, that source of supply to its former abundance." 

 Ibid., p. 278. 



2 Memorandum drawn up by the Expert Members of the Ichthyoloyical Research 

 Committee, Report of the Committee appointed to Inquire and Report as to the 

 Best Means by which the State or Local Authorities can Assist Scientific Research 

 as applied to Problems affecting the Fisheries of Great Britain and Ireland (Parl. 

 Papers, Cd. 1312, p. xxii, x, 1902). Evidence of Mr Walter E. Archer, Assistant- 

 Secretary, Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, Minutes of Evidence given before 

 the Committee appointed to inquire into the Scientific and Statistical Investiga- 

 tions now being carried on in relation to the Fishing Industry of the United 

 Kingdom, pp. 277, 288, 346, 359 (Parl. Papers, Cd. 4304, 1908). 



