FISHER.}fEN AND FISHERIES. 279 



different classes of fishermen are of much easier origin, and 

 therefore of much more frequent occurrence on the deeply 

 indented western coast of Scotland than elsewhere in the 

 United Kingdom. A reference to the map will show that 

 islands abound there, that the seas are land-locked, and 

 that bays and estuaries adopt the most zig-zag pattern 

 conceivable. 



From these geographical formations fishermen of different 

 crafts are brought into immediate contact with each other, 

 and especial care is necessary in holding the scales of 

 justice evenly for the reception of their complaints, if it 

 becomes necessary at any time to legislate between them. 

 Except as a matter of police, and to prevent actual brawls, 

 there can be no doubt that it is preferable that fishermen 

 should be left to regulate their respective rights as between 

 themselves to themselves, rather than that they should suc- 

 cessfully invoke the interference of legislation. 



In 1851 (by 14 & 15 Viet c. 26, s. 6) trawling was pro- 

 hibited wherever the herring fishery was being carried on. 

 No nets other than drift-nets might be carried on board 

 vessels under forfeiture and penalties. This Act refers to 

 Scotland, but it possesses the peculiarity of nowhere stating 

 the extent of its application. Its prohibition was ineffectual, 

 and "trawling" (that is, circle, ring, drag, or scringe-net 

 fishing) still continued. The jealousy of drifters against 

 trawlers did not diminish, and in 1860 more effectual 

 methods were adopted in order to insure to the former 

 the preference which at that time the Legislature believed 

 they deserved. By the 23 & 24 Viet. c. 92 an altogether 

 repressive enactment, previously noticed in regard to Ard- 

 namurchan close-time the Commissioners were constituted 

 almost omnipotent over the herring-fisheries of Scotland in 

 regard to every class of restriction, and it was expressly 



