IRISH FISHERIES. 



189 



comprised 20 Cornish, 40 Irish, 52 Manx, and 175 

 Scotch boats. At this station the Irish boats formed 

 only 14 per cent, of those engaged in the fishery. In 

 the Kinsale mackerel fishery also, the Irish boats are 

 only a small proportion of the total number of craft 

 which come from various parts to share in the spoil. 



I take the following statistics from the last Report 

 of the Inspectors, to show how great has been the 

 decline in the number of Irish sea-fishing boats and 

 fishermen. 



Number of Fishing Boats and Fishermen employed 

 in the Coast Fisheries from 1846 to 1875, inclusive : 



No returns are given for the years 1847 and 1869, 

 but those for the other years are approximately correct. 

 There is great difficulty, however, in procuring exact 

 particulars, although the present Inspectors take espe- 

 cial pains in their instructions to the Coastguard to 

 secure as much accuracy as possible. 



