330 CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY OF THE HERRING-FISHERY. 



gone SO far at Galway as to occasion serious cases of 

 breaches of the peace and destruction of property, while . 

 part of the report of the Inspector elucidates the advantage 

 of local fishery officers to instruct, and to prevent riots 

 and disorder among the fishermen. 



The inspecting Commissioners say — " From Galway 

 Bay we have had during the past year applications from 

 the Claddagh fishermen to extend the line more westward, 

 within which the use of the trawl-net should be prohibited." 



" Patient and lengthened public inquiries were held for 

 three days. The demand made by the Claddagh fisher- 

 men extended to the prohibition of trawling about eight 

 miles beyond Blackhead, which, if complied with, would 

 have the practical eff'ect of preventing this mode of fishing- 

 inside the Arran Islands, as it would cut out the greater 

 part of the trawling ground, and leave too limited an ex- 

 tent of ground for any extensive operations to be carried 

 on by this mode of fishing. 



" The only persons who appeared on the inquiry were 

 the applicants for the restriction, the Claddagh men, who 

 are now opposed to this mode of fishing, though in 1852 

 and 1853 they adopted it with but few exceptions. The 

 evidence being to a certain extent ex parte, the Board 

 decided that before any steps should be taken to prohibit 

 a most productive mode of fishing, such as trawling is, 

 the most unequivocal practical proofs should be afforded 

 of its decided injurious effects on the fishery of the bay, 

 and have therefore ordered a practical investigation of the 

 subject, which will take place as early as possible. 



" We are sorry to be obliged to mention that contentions 

 of a serious nature have arisen between the two classes of 

 fishermen in Galway Bay, and that one of the trawl boats 

 was set fire to, but whether by any person connected witli 



