IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND FRANCE. 21 



entire control over all the oyster banks and foreshores. As 

 occasion may seem to require, an entire bank may, for a certain 

 time, be altogether reserved against dredging operations, or any 

 portion of it. The general practice seems to be to mark or buoy 

 off a third or fourth of a bank each year ; the remaining portion 

 being dredged for a specified time by the persons permitted 

 during the number of days allowed for the operation — the reserved 

 portion being also dredged for a few days to clean it of weeds, 

 mud, and vermin. The following year another part of the bank 

 is reserved : occasionally portions are reserved for a longer 

 period. 



Everything relating to oyster fisheries is decided on by a local 

 Commission. 



This Commission is presided over by the local inspector of 

 fisheries, or officer commanding the fishery guard, and is com- 

 posed as follows : — 



The inspector of fisheries or a syndic. 

 The officer commanding the fishery guard. 

 Two gardes maritime. 

 One fisherman, being Master of a boat. 



A copy of the detailed instructions issued for the guidance of 

 the Commission is annexed (see Ap. B.), but the following em- 

 brace the more important principles laid down : — 



(Art. 2.) The beds should not be opened for fishing until the 

 spat has acquired strength to resist the action of the dredge ; 

 until the end of January, for example. 



(Art. 5.) When a bed has well established breeding capacities, 

 a fourth or fifth part of its total area should be set apart as a 

 reserve, and dredging over such part entirely prohibited. 



(Art. 6.) A fishery guard boat should, whenever practicable, 

 take part in the working of each bed. 



(Art. 10.) When a bed is foul or encumbered with weeds or 

 other matter noxious to the development or adherence of spat, it 

 should be opened for dredging until cleaned. 



(Art. 11.) Beds on which there is never any production of spat 

 shall be opened all through the season. 



(Art 12.) After the working of any bed is over, it should be 

 carefully inspected, and, if necessary, replenished with proper 

 " cultch," stones, shells, &c. 



Trawling is prohibited within 525 yards of any oyster bed. 



The capture of oysters is strictly forbidden between the 1st May 

 and 31st August, within the three mile limit, and as far as French 

 boats are concerned the close season fixed by the Convention at 

 from 15th June to 31st August is also strictly observed in the 

 international waters, although continually broken by English 

 fishermen. 



Grants of foreshore or concessions are made to persons desirous 

 of cultivating oysters, the grants in most instances being much 

 smaller than in Ireland, and not possessing the same advantages 

 as to length of tenure. 



