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the different fishery stations ; as to what measures had been 

 found beneficial, or proved otherwise ; how far the Restrictions, 

 laid upon the different modes of fishing, the limits to the 

 seasons, to localities, and to the kind of nets employed, were 

 founded on good principles ; and whether some of these regula- 

 tions had not originated in old and erroneous conceptions, or 

 "in the false principle of encouraging the more imperfect 

 methods adopted by the poorer class who have not capital or 

 means for the adoption of improved systems." 



It is then remarked " the poor fishermen on the coast 

 naturally support the latter principle, on the plea of the cruelty 

 of not enforcing restrictions on operations, depriving them, as 

 they believe, of their only means of subsistence, and thus re* 

 ducing themselves and families to a state of beggary ; but what- 

 ever other expedients may be adopted for their benefit, the 

 principle of individual relief, at the expense of general improve- 

 ment, cannot be admitted." 



A distinct view was to be taken of the operations and regu- 

 lations for the deep sea, the inland, and the shore Fisheries, as 

 also those at the mouths of rivers " all of great importance, 

 hitherto much neglected, and requiring different treatment." 



The document proceeds " The propriety of the use of the 

 Scotch stake-net, against which there is a strong prejudice in 

 Ireland, is deserving of consideration. They are undoubtedly 

 most productive, but it is asserted that they exhaust the supply 

 of fish to an extent that may threaten a material diminution in 

 the stock for many years. 



" In the rivers, the construction of eel and salmon Weirs will 

 form an interesting subject of inquiry ; and whether they also, 

 in their present form, and being practically of unlimited opera- 

 tion in season and situation, may not be found too destructive." 



Clear statements on these researches were to form a guide 

 for future exertions, and on them were to be founded the pro- 

 visions of an entirely new Act, of which the regulations should 

 be under the cognizance of the civil magistrates and authorities 

 of the country, with as little direct interference as possible from 

 Government, " an interference which has hitherto been too much 

 mixed up with every undertaking in Ireland." 



These were the views held out to the Commissioners, the 

 policy and effects of which it is now proposed to consider, 

 adducing such arguments and evidence as may lead to an 

 estimation of their tendency, both as intended and understood, 

 and to a deprecation of their continuance on those points where 

 they appear to be impolitic or misapplied. 



The nobleman who transmitted these suggestions to the 

 commission would be foremost in the cause of relieving the 

 Irish community from any future ill results that it can be clearly 

 preyed will proceed from them. 



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