3H 



resort to the large estuaries to spawn in summer ? And 

 undoubtedly they do, and take to deep water in winter. If 

 inshore trawling and shrimp trawling was restricted, I am 

 of opinion it would be much more beneficial to the fisher- 

 men and the community. The fish would have a better 

 chance to come to maturity, and the harvest of the sea 

 would be better. 



There is one important point I should not wish to pass 

 unnoticed it would require international laws ; but would 

 it not be worth while to enclose certain parts of rivers and 

 bays, and in such places as the Zuyder Zee as breeding 

 grounds, where the spawn could mature, and when the fry 

 was sufficiently developed it might be allowed to escape into 

 the sea ? The question is a wide one, I admit, and could 

 not be carried on by private enterprise ; but if taken up by 

 the nation simultaneously with other countries, it would be 

 immensely advantageous, as it would afford means to study 

 in these places the habits and growth of sea fishes, of which 

 we know yet so very little. 



Chance brought about one of the most astonishing results 

 in the history of the fishing trade about the year (1844), and 

 founded the trade at Hull in consequence. One of the 

 Ramsgate boats in extending her searches for fish was by 

 adverse winds blown further north than it was the 

 intention of her crew, but determined to make a try they 

 shot their trawl in what is now so well known as the silver 

 pits, and their plucky venture and labour was rewarded by 

 a " miraculous draft of fishes," which were nearly all soles. 

 Very soon this became noised abroad, and other boats 

 followed who were equally well rewarded with good results. 

 Hull was found a convenient port of resort, and gradually 

 became the home of the fishermen's families for the winter 

 season from September till April, when like the swallow 



