BEAM-TEAWL AND STOW'NET. 



xcix 



allj forms of sea-fishes pass -a portion of their infantine existence where- the 

 waters are shallow. If the bays and tidal harbours of our south coast are 

 searched in May and June, millions of these small fry may be found. Mr. 

 Ansell considers that although by trawling much harm has been done by 

 destroying young fry, greater damage has been effected by the small 

 boats which trawl for shrimps in Our bays and estuaries. The mesh of the 

 nets of these trawls is so fine that nothing escapes, and thousands of bushels 

 of fry are annually slaughtered by these craft. 



If, as we are assured is the case, fish, as the sole, has not augmented in 

 •price more than other articles of consumption since the abolition of fishery 

 regulations, surely market returns would form a good basis on which to 

 argue. Her Majesty^s Commissioners gave us the daily cost a± Manchester 

 of soles during ten years ending 1865, restricting their figures to the month 

 of January, and showing the retail cost per pound. I hdve similarly treated 

 figures from Birmmghain, and find if these periods are divided into five 

 years each, that prior to the abrogation of sea-fishery regulations soles 

 cost per lb. : — 



6 years ending 1860 lowest cost 3d, highest cost 8d, mean under 6d lb. 

 „ „ 1865 „ " 6d, ■ „ IQd, „ 8d lb. 



Subsequent to the abrogation of sea-fishery regulations soles per lb. 

 at Birmingham cost : — 



5 years ending 1878 lowest cost S^d, highest cost 18^d, mean under 13d lb. 

 „ 1883 „ 6Jd, „ 30t^ „ 18c? lb. 



We are told that unless a close time for all fishes is imposed generally 

 no good will ensue. This is an erroneous statement : certain well-known 



STOW-NET. 



