220 THE RELATIONS OF THE STATE WITH 

 Littoral 4. That branch of the sea fisheries which may be 



fisheries. 



defined as the Littoral Fisheries (including oysters, 

 crabs, and lobsters), is placed under slight restrictions, 

 which may be increased on local proof of necessity 

 or desirability. 



fisheries^ ^ ^is P osit i n is a strong one. The principles it embodies 

 are theoretically correct, and have been justified by experi- 

 ence. But the fishery interest is capable of still greater 

 expansion ; and, to keep pace with it, the State must make 

 itself acquainted with all its developments, and should almost 

 be prepared to direct its future growth. To maintain its 

 position as the impartial arbiter of the destinies of an 

 industry so vast, and ramifying in so many different direc- 

 tions, the State must have an intimate acquaintance with 

 Principles of the past history and the present position of every branch of 

 to fisheries, it, and of all interests affecting it or affected by it. As an 

 Austrian writer has said, " The object of fishery legislation, 

 as of all other economical enactments, is to make a lasting 

 and advantageous use of the waters containing valuable 

 food-fishes, and to place this interest in its proper relation 

 to all the other industries. . . . As, according to Roscher, 

 every industry rests on scientific, technical, and economical 

 principles, which are combined for reaching a certain defi- 

 nite practical object, viz. the most advantageous carrying 

 on of this industry, therefore must all economical legislation, 

 with a view to the right adjustment of these, be made on 

 scientific, technical, and economical principles. 



" Fishery legislation must have due regard to the teach- 

 ings of science concerning the nature of fish, their different 

 species, propagation, growth, location, migrations, &c. ; to 

 the teachings of technology concerning the different methods 

 of catching fish, the implements employed, the contrivances 



