IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND FRANCE. 51 



over-run with vermin and covered with weed and filth. Where 

 similar cases exist in Ireland, it might perhaps be well to allow 

 certain powers hereafter mentioned to the Inspectors of Fisheries 

 for the revival and conservation of the beds. 



Nothing can better illustrate the extreme difficulty experi- 

 enced in arriving at a decision as to the cause of the enormous 

 falling off in the productiveness of the English Oyster Fisheries 

 than the opposite opinions expressed by those whom it might be 

 supposed were most competent to pronounce on them. 



The Royal Commission appointed in 1862 to report on the Sea 

 Fisheries of the kingdom, declare in the most positive manner 

 that the decline in production proceeded from a failure in spat 

 during certain years. 



In their Report, page 105, they say : — 



" That this decrease has not arisen from over-fishing, nor from any 

 causes over which man has direct control, but from the very general 

 failure of the spat, or young of the oyster, which appears during the 

 years in question to have been destroyed soon after it Avas produced. A 

 similar failure of the spat has frequently happened before, and probably 

 will often happen again." 



The Commissioners were so impressed with the idea that 

 oyster grounds cannot be dredged out, that their recommendation 

 goes to the extent of having no restrictions whatever, not even a 

 close season. 



Doubtless, their opinions influenced Parliament in passing the 

 late Act for giving effect to the Convention with France, whereby 

 the close season in the channel has been reduced to ten weeks, 

 and the whole of the coasts of England and Wales left open to 

 unrestricted dredging throughout the year. 



But it is evident that where the principles thus enunciated by 

 the Commissioners have been allowed to prevail both before 

 and since that time, the supply of oysters has so greatly fallen 

 off as almost to have ceased in some places ; while, on the other 

 hand, in those places where proper protection has been extended, 

 either no falling off at all has been observed, or a positive increase 

 has been the distinct result. These are facts that cannot be dis- 

 puted, and the inference from them is plain. In 1862, when the 

 Commissioners laid down their principle, native oysters were 

 £2 8s. per bushel. They are now (eight years after) £10. If 

 this is the fruit of following out such principles, is it not time to 

 try what a reverse of this system may do for us ? or will it be 

 thought advisable to wait a few years longer until oysters are 

 worth their weight in silver ? Is it reasonable to suppose that 

 nature should fail in one of its great principles of reproduction for 

 eight or nine years in succession ? The bulk both of evidence 

 and facts which we have been able to collect, has been over- 

 whelming in condemnation of over and reckless dredging. 



There is yet another point on which some controversy exists, 

 upon which it may be well to touch, and that is as to the necessity 

 for dredging over some oyster grounds to keep them clear of mud, 

 weeds, and vermin. 



D2 



