IMPOVERISHMENT OF THE GROUNDS 261 



There was, therefore, an actual decrease in the 

 total quantity of fish landed in the interval between 

 1886-8 and 1890-2. It is true that a great 

 increase took place between 1890-2 and 190 1-3, 

 but comparison between these figures and those 

 representing the numbers of fishing vessels em- 

 ployed will show that this increase in the quantity 

 of fish landed is not proportional to the fishing 

 power expended. 



The average price of fish landed during the same 

 period is shown in the following statement : — ^ 



The several relations between the total quantity 

 of fish caught and the means employed in catching 

 it is best understood by considering the average 

 catch per vessel employed in the fisheries. This 

 is a method first adopted by Fulton, who showed 

 in 1891^ that a great expansion of the Scottish 

 fisheries had taken place, and that this increase 



1 Rept. Sel. Comm., 1893, for the periods 1886-8 and 1890-2, and 

 Statistical Tables and Memoranda for 190 1-3. 



2 Rept. Scottish Fishery Board for 1891, pt. iii. p. 171. 



