General Introduction. 



II 



1866 

 1867 

 1868 

 1869 

 1870 

 1871 



Tons. 

 132,004 

 122,523 

 122,287 

 113,782 



117.09s 

 116,463 



Our imports of fish from abroad have largely increased, 

 as will be seen by the following figures, giving the value : — 



1856 

 1866 

 1876 



;^228,07S 



631.552 

 1.459,974 



Of the imports in 1876, 966,119 cwt. — about one-third — 

 was fresh fish not of British taking. 



We also imported in 1876 train oil or blubber to the 

 value of £44.^,262, spermaceti or head matter valued at 

 ^290,359, and seal-skins value ;^2i9,540, making a total 

 of ;£'2,4iS,i3S. This is exclusive of sardines, anchovies, 

 caviare, oysters and shell-fish, pearls, mother-of-pearl, tor- 

 toise-shell, coral, sponges, and other articles obtained from 

 the fisheries, which would swell up the aggregate to over 

 ;£'3,ooo,ooo of products obtained from the sea. 



We exported in that year, of British produce : — 



Salmon to the value of 



Cod and ling 



Herrings 



Pilcliards 



Unenumerated 



Oysters 



J639.083 

 44.383 

 732.737 

 19,222 

 67.332 

 50.047 



;£'9S2,8o4 



In the last quarter of a century the Irish fisheries have 

 declined by fully one-half in the number of boats and men 

 employed. In 1870 there were stated to be under 9,000 

 vessels and boats, and 38,000 men and boys. Owing to 

 the numerous indentations, the coast line of Ireland is 



