SEA-FISHERIES LABORATORY, 10D 



SEA-FISHERIES RESEARCH IN ENGLAND 



(A statement bearing 1 on the present situation). 



By W. A. Herdman, F.R.S. 



The position of this country in connection with Sea- 

 Fisheries investigations at the present juncture is most 

 interesting ; and the decision which H.M. Government will 

 be called upon to make, early in 190T, as to the measure 

 of official recognition, control and support to be given to 

 such investigations on different parts of the coast will be 

 of unusual importance, since it cannot but have a 

 profound effect upon future work and knowledge 

 bearing on fishery questions. In the recent history of the 

 subject the only period approaching the present in 

 interest and importance is the winter and spring of 

 1901-2. It may be useful to recall that at that time, five 

 years ago, two quite unusual events had taken place. 

 One of these was the announcement, on January 31st, that 

 the then Government had given its adhesion for a period 

 of several years to the International Scheme of North Sea 

 Investigation ; and the second was the presentation to 

 Parliament, and subsequent publication, of the Report of 

 a Committee of Government Officials, Fisheries Experts, 

 and Zoologists, to whom had been referred the whole 

 question of scientific investigations in connection with 

 British Sea-Fisheries. 



This latter body, the " Ichthyological Research 

 Committee," was appointed by the President of the 

 Board of Trade (the Government Department which at 

 that time included Fisheries) in August, 1901, and 

 meetings for the examination of witnesses and discussion 

 of results were held during the twelve months to 



