320 SALMON FISHING IN CANADA. 



taken in every way. 100,000 salmon per week for several 

 weeks in the summer, used to be exported from the eastern 

 ports of Scotland alone the greater part of which were sent to 

 London. 



But this over-stimulation of the fishery had the natural effect. 

 The fish that laid such golden eggs ran the greatest risk of 

 being herself destroyed by the pernicious cupidity their great 

 price excited ; for the very existence of the race of salmon be- 

 came seriously endangered in some of the most productive rivers. 

 Some years ago, great and general complaints were made by 

 the river proprietors in Great Britain and Ireland, of an alarming 

 diminution in the number of the fish ; numerous petitions were 

 presented to the legislature ; and in consequence a Committee of 

 the House of Commons was appointed to inquire into the matter. 

 It sat three months examined many witnesses, collected infor- 

 mation from various quarters, and made an elaborate report. 

 The purport was, that the complaints respecting the great falling 

 off in the productiveness of the salmon fisheries were well founded 

 that from the inefficacy of the laws against poaching the rivers, 

 and its vast increase the more general employment of large nets 

 at the mouths of salmon rivers, and the more numerous impedi- 

 ments of water machinery in their course, the fisheries were 

 threatened with total destruction. They therefore recommended 

 some more cogent legislative measures to prevent the approaching 

 extinction of salmon in Great Britain. 



A bill founded on this report was brought into parliament, 

 and an act passed in 1828. By this statute any fishing for 

 salmon with nets, rods, or any other implements, between the 

 14th September and the 1st February, was made a misdemeanour, 

 punishable by a fine of from one to ten pounds, with forfeiture of 

 fishing gear. Other protective provisions were also introduced, 

 with additional penalties against poaching. It is stated on good 

 authority, that this act had a very beneficial effect on the 



