FISHERMEN AND FISHERIES. 253 



The agreement is to be in writing, signed by the contract- 

 ing parties in the presence of the superintendent of a 

 mercantile marine office, and it is to be explained by him 

 and attested. This agreement is, moreover, to be valid, 

 notwithstanding section 182 of the Merchant Shipping 

 Act of 1854. This section was to the effect that no 

 seaman should by any agreement forfeit his lien for wages 

 upon the ship, as by the loss of the vessel in part 



A Sea Fisheries Act of little importance to fisheries 

 other than those relating to oysters, was passed in 1875 

 (38 39 Viet c. 15). This Act will be further mentioned 

 when spawning-beds are subsequently considered. It may 

 be referred to here, since it indicates the continuing cen- 

 tralisation of all sea fisheries beneath the control of the 

 Board of Trade. This position, besides giving sea fisheries 

 increasing importance as a national industry, places them 

 directly beneath the immediate investigation of Parliament 

 itself. 



By the Customs Consolidation Act of 1876 (39 & 40 

 Viet. c. 36, sect. 48), " No goods, except diamonds, bullion, 

 lobsters, and fresh fish of British taking and imported in 

 British ships, which may be landed without report or 

 entry," are permitted ashore except at fixed hours and 

 under supervision. The valuable companionship with 

 diamonds and bullion, in which fresh fish and lobsters 

 accidentally find themselves placed, is of no particular 

 significance ; but their express exemption from the delay 

 occasioned by reports and entries in official registers, 

 exhibits an important confirmation of the privileges 

 granted to the fishing trade in the Act of 1868. 



The legislation of 1877 (40 & 41 Viet. c. 65) had a direct 

 influence on a certain kind of sea fishing. Miners and 

 others who could readily obtain small quantities of the 



