SEA-FISHERIES LABORATORY. 81 
the action of storms. Sandy and muddy shores which are 
devoid of ‘‘ scarry ”’ ground are unfavourable for the production 
of periwinkles. The mean annual income from the sale of peri- 
winkles collected by the fishermen in the area controlled by 
the Committee is nearly £700. 
Piel, near Barrow-in-Furness, is one of the centres of the 
_ periwinkle industry. Fully one-third of the total annual 
quantity collected in the whole district is sent away from there. 
The area fished by the Piel fishermen is of considerable extent. 
It comprises the seaward limit of Barrow Channel and the 
western end of Roosebeck shore. The ground is never overfished 
at any time. The fluctuation in quantity from year to year 
shown by the accompanying Table is largely due to conditions 
of local trade prosperity. A certain number of the men are 
practically whole time fishermen. Others engage in it when 
employment is not obtainable in the works in the district. 
There are no restrictions of any kind, but the industry is mainly 
a seasonal one. The maximum supply is sent away between 
October and May. The normal number of periwinkle fishermen 
in pre-war times was eight. The mean annual quantity sent to 
the inland towns of Lancashire and to London, from the beginning 
of 1906 to the end of 1914, was nearly forty-eight tons. The in- 
come received by the men was nearly £240 ayear. Previoustothe 
war, the chief occupation during the summer months was ferrying 
visitors to Piel Island and back and taking fishing parties from 
various North Lancashire towns to catch codling, dabs, and 
mackerel on the adjacent fishing grounds. The restrictions 
on boating, ete., which were instituted by the Naval and Mili- 
tary Authorities immediately on the declaration of war, put 
an end to the usual summer occupation of the majority of the 
periwinkle fishermen. Half of them went into the munition 
works, and one found employment at sea on the examination 
vessel. The three remaining men are considerably over military 
age. They are carrying on with a fair amount of success as 
