PROTECTION OF DEEP SEA FISHERIES. 371 



but as a rule drift boats and codders work independently. 

 Oystermen work as a rule in small fleets, but they, of course, 

 can keep their catch alive for a long time. 



This brings us to the various methods which are em- Curing at sea. 

 ployed in curing or preserving fish at sea. Trawl fish are 

 invariably iced. Herrings, unless brought in fresh, are 

 either dry-salted loose, or put into barrels and pickled with 

 salt, making their own brine; this latter plan is the 

 exception on board English craft, but the rule with Dutch 

 and French boats. Codders either keep their fish alive in 

 a well in the centre of the vessel, or make a salt-fish voyage, 

 when all are salted. Mackerel are generally brought jn 

 fresh the second or third day according to the weather, 

 but an idea is now gaining ground of providing these boats 

 with refrigerators, so that when the catches are small they 

 can stay on the grounds longer than they otherwise could. 



In connection with the fleets a most important point Ferrying and 



boxing or 



is the ferrying of the fish from the fishing vessel to the trunking. 

 carrying vessel. A good deal of attention has been 

 attracted to this, owing to the loss of life which has occurred 

 through it. After the fish is caught by vessels of the 

 fleet and packed in boxes, it is necessary to convey it to 

 the carrying vessel which is waiting to convey it to market. 

 For this purpose the small boats must be launched. As 

 a rule these are very strong, safe boats, about 1 6 to 

 1 8 ft. long, and of good depth and beam, and as good as 

 possible for the purpose. The fish is then put into the 

 boat and two or three hands are sent to board the carrier, 

 the smack looking out to pick them up again when they 

 have delivered the fish. It will now be asked, if the boats 

 are so suitable, what is the cause of the loss of life ? It 

 may be attributed to the following causes. The attempting 

 to ferry when the weather is not fit ; the overloading of 



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