THE FISHERIES IN 1863 11 



method was that of the drift-net. The method 

 consisted in the use of a modification of the seine- 

 net, and was known locally as " trawling." ^ The 

 new method was more profitable than the old 

 one, and there is really no reason why it should 

 not be practised wherever desired. But, as it 

 became generally adopted, violent disputes arose 

 between the fishermen using it and those still 

 following the older method, and it was generally 

 the drift-net men who were the aggressors in 

 these quarrels. The latter asserted that the 

 trawlers caught unwholesome fish, destroyed 

 spawn and fry, broke up the shoals and 

 ruined the season, and generally that they were 

 turbulent fellows, wanton in mischief. They 

 agitated for the prohibition of " trawling," and 

 in this they were supported by the fish merchants 

 and curers, who were influenced by motives of 

 self-interest, and who, in the trouble that followed, 

 were responsible for much discontent. 



This agitation was successful in so far as the 

 Fishery Board were induced to press for prohibi- 

 tive legislation. An Act^ was obtained in 1851 

 which prohibited the use of the seine-net for 

 catching herrings, and made the use of this 

 apparatus punishable by fine and imprisonment. 

 This Act was put into operation, but for various 

 reasons soon became disregarded, and " trawling " 



^ It had nothing in common with beam-trawling. 

 ^14 and 15 Vict. c. 26. 



