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different conditions. The coast of the Mediterranean which 

 undoubtedly, as has been shown, produces more than the 

 Atlantic coast, has great depletion in fish notwithstanding 

 the most favourable conditions for reproduction and 

 there can be no doubt that this is due to abuses or the 

 bad system of fishing practised by all countries which 

 border on the sea. In the first place the means of extraction 

 are greater, as the condition of these waters and that of 

 the bottoms is more conducive to the establishment of im- 

 pediments to fish passage than to trawling, also that the 

 Mediterranean is more suitable to certain species. Not- 

 withstanding this, its temperature, the class of vegeta- 

 tion which flourishes on its bottom, and the material 

 organism which it constantly receives from the rivers and 

 rainy deposits, are other elements which favour a large 

 production. 



PROPOSALS. 



I will conclude by making some proposals to my col- 

 leagues the Commissioners of all the countries represented 

 at this Exhibition. 



The importance of fisheries as the source of wealth is now 

 recognised by all civilised countries, nor is it forgotten that 

 it forms one of the principal elements in the public food 

 supply, as well as that their extension facilitates the means 

 of communication among nations, and that this increases 

 the industrial output ; and lastly, that the calling of a 

 fisherman is the nursery which produces that race, hardy, 

 enduring, and brave, which man our ships, establish means 

 of communication among continents, and maintain the 

 independence of nations. 



All are interested individually and collectively in this 

 calling and in the rational protection of the industry, because 



