28 BRITISH FISHERIES 



All this was brought about by the passage 

 into law, in 1868, of the Sea- Fisheries Act.^ 

 By this enactment over fifty Acts of Parliament, 

 dating back through several centuries, were 

 expunged from the statute-book. The Huxleian 

 ideal of unrestricted fishing was realised, and a 

 fisherman was enabled to pursue his calling, 

 "how, when, and where he pleased." A 

 beginning was made of the delicate task of 

 obtaining a code of international sea -fisheries 

 regulations. With these changes fisheries ad- 

 ministration emerged from a phase of restriction 

 without reasonable basis, and took on a more 

 liberal complexion. That a period of restriction 

 has again been entered upon is due to causes 

 which I will try to explain in the next three 

 chapters. 



1 31 and 32 Vict. c. 45. 



