FISHERMEN AND FISHERIES. 275 



times ; and in V. ambitious and perfectly impracticable 

 endeavours are made to indirectly protect, at all times and 

 at all places, small fish generally. 



The following suggestion for the protection of fish may 

 perhaps be simple and practicable. It is suggested that 

 there might be three legislatively enforced schedules, 

 headed respectively " Close-time," Contraband Fish," and 

 " Protected Areas." 



In the first might be named certain fixed periods during 

 which the possession of certain specified fish was illegal. 

 These periods might vary according to the spawning time 

 of different fish, and it would strike both at capture and 

 sale without being troubled about placing restrictions on 

 implements. 



The second schedule might contain a list of fish, the 

 possession of which is at all times illegal. Any species of 

 fish apparently decreasing might be included in this list, 

 and removed from it when it appeared to be again abun- 

 dant It might also include fish of an " unsizeable " or 

 unmarketable condition ; whilst wholesome, large, or not 

 actually spawning (e.g., crabs not "berried," and over 

 4j inches) fish of the same species might be excluded. 



The third might contain a list of defined places, which 

 Government might regulate, either morally by the bare 

 delimitation by buoys, or physically by the presence of a 

 gunboat. If the exact locality of a large spawning ground 

 be actually discovered, it might be proclaimed a protected 

 area ; and to enforce its protection either the use, or pro- 

 bable use, of implements of certain kinds might be re- 

 stricted. 



The above principles appear to be, in fact, those towards 

 which legislation is now tending ; but they do not appear 

 to have been intentionally used as the text from which the 



T 2 



