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nature has provided no frontiers for the watery inhabitants, 

 and the immensity in which they live manifests eloquently 

 the interest which ought to be taken by nations to maintain 

 this richness of production. 



It is necessary for this that men of all countries who 

 devote themselves to the study and administration of the 

 different branches constituting this industry, should com- 

 municate one with the other to compare observations, 

 resolve their doubts, and give statistics ; it is necessary, too, 

 that they should follow the example of P^ngland and seize an 

 occasion to facilitate the interchange of products of all coun- 

 tries concerned ; and it is necessary, lastly, that congresses 

 should be held at which may be elucidated technically all 

 points of controversy, thus founding a basis for international 

 treaties. 



Spain has established fishery boards in all her maritime 

 provinces, and the Administration of these in the Ministry of 

 Marine will gladly enter into relations with all the Com- 

 missions now established, or to be established, for the 

 mutual interchange of matters tending to facilitate a 

 knowledge of this important industry. 



This community of interests is more apparent among 

 nations of the same continent, since in the exercise of fishing* 

 interests are affected in a reciprocal way, in the case of 

 emigrants or passengers along the shore, and even the 

 sedentary coast inhabitants. Many practical examples 

 could be cited of common injuries, but I will limit myself 

 to one. 



The French fishermen used to fish in free waters off 

 Arcachon with a trawling-net which they call " chalut," and 

 the places they dragged they thought to be a bank or 

 natural bed of sea bream and other shore species. Seeing 

 that in Spain there was a diminution of these species, the 



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