PREFACE 



THE book finished, the more pleasant task remains, and that 

 is to thank the numerous friends who have by their 

 assistance and co-operation rendered its writing possible. 



Since an adequate knowledge of the sea fisheries can only be 

 obtained in one place, and that is at sea, I have to thank many 

 fishermen of aU classes from the steam trawler skipper to the humble 

 cockier for their invariable kindness in explaining the mystery of 

 their craft. That I have avoided mistakes in comprehending their 

 instruction is, I fear, not to be expected ; but one hopes that the 

 mistakes are neither numerous nor serious. 



I count it an honour that the greater number of my friends and 

 acquaintances is to be found amongst the fishing population. 

 Although the nature of my duties has frequently brought me into 

 collision with what they have doubtless considered their rights and 

 privileges, I am proud to think that I have never received aught 

 but courtesy at their hands. 



No finer body of men is to be met with anywhere than British 

 fishermen ; this statement can be made with confidence by one who 

 has spent much time with them, in fair weather and foul ; and no 

 one can have more hearty wishes for their prosperity than the author 

 of this volume. To the Lancashire and Western Sea Fisheries Joint 

 Committee, whose servant I have been for fifteen years, I am 

 indebted for permission to make use of photographs originally 

 taken to illustrate reports on the fisheries within their jurisdiction. 

 I should like also to take the opportunity of thanking the Committee, 

 both individually and collectively, for many acts of kindness and 

 consideration, which have been far more numerous than I have 

 deserved. 



To Dr. Wemyss Fulton, the Scientific Superintendent to the 

 Scottish Fishery Board, I am indebted greatly, both for encourage- 

 ment when the book was in the making and subsequently for advice 

 and assistance, without which it is to be feared that errors and 

 omissions would have been far more numerous than they are. At 

 the same time it is proper to state that for the opinions in the book 

 the author is solely responsible. 



Dr. Hugh M. Smith, Commissioner of Fisheries to the United 



