346 SEA FISHERIES 



general and simultaneous depopulation. The ocean 

 fisheries will always be copious and easy, and their yield 

 will be greater as the ocean becomes more familiar 

 and the methods employed more perfect. But the 

 capital question is of the economic and social order. 

 Our fishermen do not make all they should by their 

 labour, because they are badly organised; their boats 

 and gear are old or old-fashioned, their ports badly 

 equipped, and the capital engaged insufficient. 



Here are three reforms to begin with ; but it would 

 be rash indeed to hope to see them quickly realised. 

 We must work from the simple to the complex, and 

 begin with what is most urgent. We must begin not 

 with the coast, but with the interior of the country. 



Let us, in France, begin by opening, and if need be 

 breaking, the gates of the octroi. Fish will be cheaper ; 

 more will be eaten ; the work of the fishermen will be 

 increased, regularised, and more productive. Prosperity 

 will prevail along the coast ; and prosperity, the child of 

 labour, is a good counsellor. We shall see the necessary 

 changes in the technique of fishery. The fisherman's 

 position will be stronger and more independent. Then, 

 by the natural action of economic forces, we shall see 

 the insufficiencies of our harbours repaired ; we shall see 

 more large harbours and fewer small ones. The railway 

 companies in turn, in face of the increasing shipments of 

 merchandise, will lend an attentive ear to the require- 

 ments of the fishermen ; their own interests will lead 

 them to meet these requirements. 



In other words, we must relieve the congestion of the 

 coast by providing large and numerous outlets ; that is, 

 we must urge the consumer to eat more fish and the 

 merchant to ship exports to foreign markets. Why 

 should not the State assist in this work of construction 



