CHAP. XL] ABOUT A CLOSE-TIME. 485 



The period of the herring's reproduction might, I think, be 

 easily determined by constructing a sea-pond, where a few of 

 these fish could breed, and the growth of the young fish be 

 carefully watched. 



In the case of the salmon there is no difficulty about 

 a close-time, because we know the breeding seasons of each 

 river ; but it would be difficult to divide the sea into compart- 

 ments ; and even if we could, and a close-time were to be 

 instituted, would not the strict logic of the position dictate 

 that the close-time should be for the protection of the fish 

 during their breeding season ? But again, if it be granted that 

 the breeding season is the only time that we can take the fish, 

 would not such a close-time be practically putting an end to 

 the fishing ? It is a curious fact, as well as a curious fishing 

 anomaly, that we have had a close-time for herrings on the 

 west coast of Scotland but not on the east coast ! And I 

 can trace no good that the close -time has accomplished ; 

 it is not known that it increases the supply of fish, but it 

 is known that a close-time impedes the prosecution of the 

 other fisheries by depriving the poor men of a supply of 

 bait. The fishermen often use the herring as a bait for other 

 fishes. 



Although Scotland is the main seat of the herring-fishery, 

 I should like to see statistics, similar to those collected in 

 Scotland, taken at a few English ports for a period of years, in 

 order that we might obtain additional data from which to 

 arrive at a right conclusion as to the increase or decrease of 

 the fishery for herring. So far as the capture and cure of 

 herrings are concerned, we have in Scotland, what ought to be 

 in every country, an excellent fishery police. The Hon. Mr. 

 Bouverie Primrose, when giving evidence before a fishery 

 commission, described the official duties of the Board of 

 Scottish White-fish Fisheries as being : " To give clearances 

 to herring-fishery vessels going out to sea, and to receive 



