PROTECTION OF DEEP SEA FISHERIES. 463 



statistics which they give in their annual report to the 

 Lord Lieutenant. The laws, as far as the sea fisheries 

 are concerned, are not in the most desirable state. With 

 a view to amend these, a Bill was introduced into Parlia- 

 ment in February, 1882, which had for its principal 

 objects : 



To appoint fifteen Commissioners, who should be a body 

 corporate, and having a common seal. 



That they should make reports to the Lord Lieutenant 

 and to Parliament. 



That they should have power to make bye-laws for the 

 regulation of the fisheries as to the mode, manner, and time 

 in which they should be prosecuted, to hold inquiries, to 

 issue licences and to revoke the same, to make advances of 

 money, to have the supervision of the fishery piers and 

 harbour works, instead of the Board of Works. 



One very absurd clause was inserted, to the effect that 

 no vessel over five tons should fish in any estuary waters 

 adjoining the coast of Ireland. At the same time the coast 

 was not defined it might mean one or ten miles from the 

 shore. It was further proposed that the Commissioners 

 should have power to hold inquiries into the efficiency of 

 the vessels employed. To a certain extent legislation of 

 this kind may be desirable for Ireland, but it would not be 

 suitable or practicable to apply to east coast, foreign, and 

 other vessels, which resort to the Irish coast for the purposes 

 of fishing at various seasons. This must soon have been 

 discovered by the framers of the Bill, who withdrew it, and 

 in May last, just three months after, introduced into Parlia- 

 ment another Bill on similar lines, but omitting all the parts 

 which set out the proposals for the objectionable licences, 

 bye-laws, &c., before named. This Bill was also withdrawn. 

 Therefore in three months two Bills for the regulation of 



