ii8 



BRITISH FISHERIES 



about ^3249). The functions of this Board were 

 to administer the bounty fund, to improve and 

 construct fishing harbours, and to give loans to 

 fishermen for the purchase of boats and gear. 



The principal bounties were : — ^^2, los. per ton 

 on vessels over 1 5 and under 60 tons 'burden ; ^^3 

 per ton of whale-oil ; 3s. a barrel on herrings, 

 pilchards, and mackerel cured according to the 

 regulations of the Board (this was not paid to vessels 

 earning the tonnage bounty) ; and 4s. per cwt. on 

 dried cod, ling, hake, haddock, " glassen," and 

 conger.^ " Under the operation of this system a 

 great increase in the activity of the trade was ex- 

 perienced, much capital was drawn to it, and large 

 sums were circulated among fishermen, curers, 

 etc." ^ The fishery began to assume respectable 

 dimensions. The statistics for the period during 

 which the bounties were in operation are : — 



1 Report of the Commissioners of Inquiry into the State of the Irish 

 Fisheries, 1837. The "glassen " is the " coalfish " (Gadus virens). 



2 Ibid., First Report, p. x. 



