THE SALMON AND CHANNEL FISHERIES. 191 



There is an universal outcry from one part of the 

 kingdom to the other, against the causes which 

 produce the scarcity of fish, and no attempt is 

 made to remove them. I would recommend an As- 

 sociation for this purpose, such as is formed for the 

 prosecution of felons and trespassers. I am con- 

 vinced it would do a vast deal of service to this 

 cause; much may be effected by the co-operation of 

 many, that is wholly impracticable by the exertion 

 of an individual. I know that this system has an 

 amazing effect on the conduct of ill-disposed peo- 

 ple, when they know that a whole parish are bound 

 together to prosecute for offences. The expenses 

 of a prosecution, though terrifying to an individual, 

 are not felt by a great number united, and this 

 they well know and feel. 



The oversight of considering all fish as fit to kill, 

 by a legislative act, that are not so in reality, has al- 

 ready been noticed. The spear, with other improper 

 means, is prohibited during the fence days ; but the 

 use of this deadly and destructive instrument will 

 never be abolished by the simple means chalked out 

 by this act ; a more efficacious remedy must be ap- 

 plied to this evil, the particulars of which have been 

 so plainly set forth. Rouges are young salmon, and 

 if unsizeable, ought not to be taken at all: this 

 act gives a power to take them in the three rivers 

 therein-mentioned, but it extends no further. 



We are now arrived at the sabbath-breaking 

 part of the act : " No fish hereinbefore men- 

 " tioned, shall at any time be pursued, taken, 



