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THE SEA. 



up generally by the statement that the proportion of spawn and fry which must perish 

 is so great as to reduce the operations of man to limits barely appreciable. On the 

 important related question whether the supply of fish is decreasing, the Commissioners 

 entertain no doubt whatever. They say, 'so far from the stock of fish decreasing, we 

 believe that the supply of fish, taken on the whole, is at least as great as it has ever 

 been; there are some reasons for even thinking that it is actually increasing/ On the 



HERRING FISHING. 



other hand, they refer to a general impression that the take of flat-fish, such as soles and 

 plaice, is becoming less ; the local explanation referring almost universally to the destruction 

 of fry. Yet while the Commissioners do not, except in the case of soles, contest the 

 alleged decrease, they refuse to recognise the assigned cause, nor, generally speaking, do 

 they see any reason for legislative action of a restrictive nature." The prospects of our 

 ocean fishing, both as an industry and as a food supply, are, therefore, encouraging. The 

 harvest of the sea is constant, and though there must be local fluctuations, the return for 

 the labour of those " who reap where they have not sowed " is sure. 



