6 BRITISH FISHERIES 



These depressions, due to bad seasons, or the 

 introduction of new methods, or both combined, 

 have in the past given rise to agitations which 

 have led to the appointment of committees or 

 commissions of inquiry ; and during such agita- 

 tion the views of fishermen or of persons interested 

 in the sea-fisheries have been taken uncritically and 

 have been allowed to influence the inquiry and the 

 resulting legislation. It is beyond doubt that suffi- 

 cient investigation would, in many cases at least, 

 have shown that legislation was not necessary, or 

 would have suggested the proper remedy. It 

 would have been seen that fluctuations in the 

 abundance of fish in any one locality continually 

 occurred without permanent damage to the fishery, 

 and that these fluctuations were, moreover, beyond 

 the control of man. But an essential means for 

 such investigation — an accurate statistical history 

 of the course of the fishery — has not always existed, 

 and indeed is still wanting in many places ; and 

 for want of this, and impartial scientific inquiry 

 into the conditions of the depression, incomplete 

 or erroneous conclusions have been arrived at, and 

 have led to unfortunate or, at least, unnecessary 

 legislation. It is necessary to bear these considera- 

 tions in mind to understand the nature and origin 



ing remonstrances from the fishermen of Galway Bay because a 

 single yacht happened to trawl occasionally there. Trawling was 

 first practised during a time of bad fishing, and it was therefore 

 deemed to be an injurious method. 



