LEGISLATION AND THE SEA FISHERIES 163 



But if this cheapening of an article of food for the mass of the 

 people is to be accompanied by the impoverishment or disappearance 

 of a section of our population, then the price paid may be too high, 

 especially when that section comprises some of the best types of 

 sturdy, daring and vigorous manhood to be met with in the world. 

 Fortunately the existence of the two modes of fishing — deep sea 

 and coastal — side by side are not incompatible ; and, although 

 the protection of the inshore waters undoubtedly in the first place 

 benefits the inshore fishermen and the smacksmen, ultimately it 

 has a bearing on the prosperity of the offshore fisheries, as the 

 steam trawling fraternity were compelled to admit in the con- 

 tentious period, 1893-1903. Fishing on a commercial scale is 

 impossible in the great depths of the ocean, and consequently the 

 trawling ground available is limited in extent, though undoubtedly 

 sufficient for present requirements. If, as was the case at many 

 centres, it was difficult in 1911 to get some species of fish (e.g. hake) 

 in suf&cient quantity to make steam trawling pay, what is likely 

 to be the condition of affairs in another twenty-five or fifty years 

 if the present reckless exploitation of the fishing grounds is allowed 

 to continue ? 



The inadequacy of the 3-mile limit for fishery protection has been 

 admitted by the British Government for Scotland and Ireland, 

 but not for English or Welsh waters. Here a digression is necessary 

 in order to explain the method of fishery administration and control 

 in the three kingdoms. Scotland may be taken first, and this for 

 several reasons. Fishing has for generations occupied, and even 

 now occupies, a relatively greater importance in Scotland than in 

 other parts of the British Isles. A Central Board of Fisheries has 

 existed for a much longer period in Scotland than elsewhere ; and, 

 what is of even greater importance, this Board has all along been 

 vigilant in the study of the necessities of the fishing industry, and 

 eminently desirous of its welfare. In Scotland alone have fishery 

 statistics been collected long and carefully enough to render an 

 historical survey of the development of the fisheries of scientific 

 value. For these reasons the administration of the Scottish sea 

 fisheries deserves more than passing attention, whatever opinion 

 one may hold as to the wisdom of the attempts made by the Fishery 

 Board to preserve the inshore fisheries. 



In 1808 the Act already referred to for the further encouragement 

 and better regulation of the British White Herriag Fishery 

 established a Board of Commissioners which developed into the 

 present Scottish Fishery Board. The old Board was dissolved in 

 1882, and the present Board constituted. The powers conferred 

 on this Board have been gradually extended until, with the passing 



