222 A HISTORY OF THE WHALE FISHERIES 



assisted both cod and whale fisheries, by means of 

 bounties. Nearly twenty-five and a half million 

 francs were giyen as bounties to industries in one 

 year, to which must be added nearly three and a 

 Half million francs for the fisheries. 



The law of the 22nd July, 1851, was voted to 

 keep in existence the French whale fishery, consist- 

 ing at that time of seventeen vessels with six 

 hundred men. Fishing was encouraged in two 

 ways. The markets in France and the colonies 

 were exclusively reserved and bounties (budget de 

 secours) were paid. Lajonkiere 1 complains that the 

 French whalers were no good (malpropres et 

 indisciplines). This system of bounties produced 

 poor results, and was unsuccessful in resuscitating 

 the French whale fisheries. 



1 " Des primes a la peche." 



