246 THE RELATIONS OF THE STATE WITH 



the destruction of immature herrings on the wide expanse 

 of the North Sea, an indirect method by the seizure of 

 of small-meshed nets when landed at the quays, or hung 

 on the shore to dry, was held more practicable. 



There is, again, in addition to many others, the principle 

 that fishermen must not unnecessarily interfere with each 

 other's operations. In the deep seas it is deemed sufficient 

 to prohibit trawlers, for instance, from fishing within three 

 miles of drift-nets, lest the latter should become entangled 

 or cut through. In St. Ives Bay, on the other hand, 

 particular legislation (3 & 4 Viet. c. confirmed by the 68th 

 section of the Sea Fisheries Act, 1868) gives to sean fisher- 

 men the exclusive use of the coast waters. This privilege 

 has been considered necessary to the pilchard fishery ; 

 but, as it may probably be considered too unimpeded to be 

 just to other fishermen, it will perhaps become more limited 

 by legislation, unless it can be shown essential to the 

 advantage of the whole district. 



The Act of 1 868 also expressly leaves in force, so far as 

 it relates to Scotland, the greater portion of an Act of 1815 

 (55 Geo. III. c. 94). By the latter Act a legal element 

 was introduced into the constitution of the Fishery Board, 

 and the Advocate- and Solicitor-General for Scotland were 

 added to the number of the Commissioners. These were 

 thenceforth to report annually to the Board of Trustees 

 for Fisheries and Manufactures before each ist day of 

 November, and a copy of their Report was to be laid 

 before both Houses of Parliament within fourteen days of 

 the commencement of each session. In these enactments 

 another proof, by reason of their classification with manu- 

 factures, of the further growth of the recognition of 

 Fisheries as a large national industry is given ; and by 

 the submission to Parliament of annual Reports, evidence 



