242 ABOUT A CLOSE-TIME. [CHAP. vi. 



obtaining an increase of the stock to the extent say of thirty 

 thousand, the ultimate effect must be to disturb and cripple 

 the producing powers of the shoal to such a degree that it will 

 break up and find a new breeding-ground, safe for a time per- 

 haps from the spoliation of the greedy fishermen. The Loch- 

 fyne commissioners give as a reason for their non-recommen- 

 dation of a close-time the fact, that were there to be a cessation 

 from labour, the enemies of the herring would so increase, 

 that the jubilee given would be nugatory. But surely there is 

 a great want of logic in this argument ! How is it that a close- 

 time operates so favourably in the case of the salmon not 

 only a seasonal close-time, but a weekly one as well ? Would 

 not the herring, with its almost miraculous breeding-power, 

 increase in the same ratio, or even in a greater ratio than its 

 enemies, especially if, as the commissioners tell us and we 

 believe, it is engaged in multiplying its kind during ten 

 months of the year ? Are not the enemies of the herring at 

 work during the fishing season as well as at other periods ? 

 I could understand the logic of denying a close-time on the 

 ground that, as the herring never ceases breeding, it is im- 

 possible to fix a correct period. But, according to the deliver- 

 ance made by the commissioners in the natural history 

 portion of their inquiry, a close-time is quite possible. I have 

 ever been of opinion, notwithstanding the practical difficulties 

 that would have to be encountered in carrying it out, that the 

 want of a close-time, especially for the larger kinds of sea- 

 fish, is one of the causes which are so obviously affecting the 

 supplies. It is certain also, from chemical and sanitary inves- 

 tigation, that all fish are unwholesome at the period of 

 spawning ; the salmon at that time of its life is looked upon 

 as being little better than carrion. But, without dwelling on 

 this phase of the question, or considering the effect of un- 

 wholesome fish on the public health, I must point out most 

 strongly that the want of a well-defined close-time is one of 



