200 



OPEEATIONS OF THE FISHERY BOAED. 



elevated to a higher order of usefulness, especially as regards the 

 various questions in connection with the natural history of the 

 fish. The operations of the Board might likewise be extended 

 for a few seasons to a dozen of the largest English fishing-ports, 

 in order that we might obtain confirmation of what is so often 

 rumoured, the falling ofi" of our supplies of sea-food. There are 

 various obvious abuses also in connection with the economy of 

 our fisheries that ought to be remedied, and which an active 

 Board could remedy and keep right ; and a body of naturalists 

 and economists might easily be kept up at a slight toU of say a 

 guinea per boat. 



The state of the ca«e as between the supply of fish and the 

 extent of netting has been focussed into the annexed diagram, 

 which shows at a glance how the question stands. 



1818-1845. The drift sf 

 nets per boat contained 

 4500 square yards. 



1837-1863. The drift of 

 nets per boat contained 

 x6,8oo square yards. 



1818-1824. The aver- 

 age per boat izsi 

 crans. 



During the JO years 

 1841-50 the average 

 catch per boat was 



1857-1863. The aver- 

 age per boat 82 crans. 



112 crans. 



