IRISH FISHERIES. 191 



annually by the Board of Trade, are solely derived 

 from information supplied by the Customs all round 

 the coast of the United Kingdom, there is reason to 

 believe that not much dependence can be placed on 

 the. general system of registration now adopted under 

 the Sea Fisheries Act, 1868. It is almost impossible to 

 obtain accuracy in many parts of Ireland and Scotland, 

 and it is very doubtful whether even the English 

 returns are entirely trustworthy. 



The Irish fisheries have been subject to fluctuations 

 at various times, so far as the number of boats and men 

 engaged in them is concerned ; but the great decline 

 in comparatively recent years dates from the period of 

 the famine ; and those who have had a long acquaint- 

 ance with the condition of the west coast fishermen, 

 believe their present depressed state is entirely the 

 result of that disastrous time. But it may be asked, if 

 there has been no recovery after thirty years, but, on 

 the contrary, an almost continuous decline in the 

 number of fishermen up to the last year, what hopes 

 are there of ever seeing the fishing population again in 

 a thriving condition? Poverty is but an imperfect 

 excuse for the present state of things. Local assistance 

 has been given time after time with only a temporary 

 improvement. Emigration to America and elsewhere 

 has attracted thousands from their native shores ; and 

 it can hardly be a matter of regret, for most of those 

 who went away have worked with an industry in 

 other countries, of which there was little appearance 

 when they were at home. The great decline in the 

 fisheries is no doubt mainly due to the great tide of 



