78 



however science may be required in England to overhaul 

 the experience of the United States in propagating sea-fish 

 and I heartily hope science will insist upon its legitimate 

 rights in this respect neither science nor law founded 

 upon it are wanting to give the country knowledge, if it 

 feels that it wants fish, and as a natural sequence that it 

 should be had if possible. 



The means for carrying on the industry of course is 

 confined in extent to a scale consistent with the demand 

 which has hitherto been purely local on the coast-line in 

 question, and the reason sufficiently explained in the above 

 Reports, namely, an absence of means of transit, and in 

 many places a want of safety piers and small refuge 

 harbours for boats. Let me shortly quote again a passage 

 or two from this important official document : 



"INSPECTORS OF IRISH FISHERIES. The importance 

 of securing facilities for transport to the great markets 

 cannot be over-rated they exercise the greatest influence 

 upon the fisheries of any locality as a rule securing to the 

 fishermen more satisfactory prices for their fish, and bring- 

 ing them in direct communication with the large buyers. 



"The coastguard officer considers the fishing in the 

 locality to be excellent, but thoroughly undeveloped. The 

 drawback to the fishery is the great want of the means of 

 transit or want of curing stations, but that energetic 

 fishermen, not fishing spasmodically, would make a good 

 profit. The shoals of fish off the coast, particularly 

 herrings and mackerel, are sometimes enormous, from 

 which local fishermen get little profit. 



" The great drawback to any fishing being prosecuted on 

 an extended scale in this or any other similar locality is 

 the great distance between the place of capture and a line 

 of railway ; at present, the nearest station is Tralee, situate 



