DRIFT-NET FISHING. 67 



but according to the fishermen of Lochfyne and there 

 is not the slightest reason to doubt the accuracy of 

 their statements in this matter some herrings may be 

 caught in parts of Lochfyne throughout the year. 



The Isle of Man fishery begins on the western side 

 of the island in June, and finishes on the eastern side 

 in October, when the fish are observed to be in spawning 

 condition. 



The herring fishery on the north of Ireland is from 

 July to September, and rather later on the east coast 

 that is, in the Irish Channel where an important 

 fishing is carried on, and in which Scotch, Manx, and 

 Cornish, as well as Irish boats take part. On the 

 south and south-west of Ireland there appear to be 

 two seasons one lasting from May or June to Sep- 

 tember or October, and the other from Christmas to 

 the beginning of March the fish being in spawning 

 condition at the close of each of these seasons. On 

 the Atlantic side, however, the herring fishery is very 

 uncertain, as the coast is too much exposed for regular 

 deep-sea fishing to be carried on at night without con- 

 siderable risk, even if the fishermen were provided 

 with proper boats and gear, and had their hearts in 

 their work; and the fish do not always come far 

 enough into the deep bays on that coast to be caught 

 in large numbers. In Galway Bay, however, many 

 good fisheries have been made, and if the fishermen 

 there were more peaceably disposed the Claddagh 

 men especially more profitable work would be accom- 

 plished by them. 



The drift-fishery for mackerel is principally on the 



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