LEGENEEATION OF OUE DEEP SEA FISHERIES. 



47 



3rd. That the present practices of netting for one class of fish 

 involve the destruction of the embryo and fry of others, which 

 constitute an immense source of wealth to the nation. 



4th. That the system of trawling as at present practised is not 

 only extremely destructive to the wealth of the community, but 

 prejudicial to the best interests of the fisherman, since the trawls 

 not only catch the fish, but destroy 10,000 times as much brood 

 for the coming season, by raking up and laying waste the pastur- 

 ages and nurseries in which food is produced and protected. 



5th. That since the bottom of the sea may be looked upon as 

 the primary source from which the wealth of our sea fisheries is 

 derived, its careful protection is of the utmost importance, and 

 opens up a field for marine husbandry as important as the hus- 

 bandry of our food-producing soils on shore. 



6th. That for the attainment of such a desirable end restrictive 

 legislation is needed — not restrictive as to the amount, but as to 

 the mode of fishing. 



7th. That the means of carrying this legislation into operation 

 are already at our command in the existing coast-guard service, 

 whose labours would not be materially increased. 



8th. That any extra expense that might be incurred could be 

 met by a small tax in the form of a license for all trawlers, which 

 would be more than covered by their increased prosperity. 



9th. That this subject is of peculiar importance to the commu- 

 nities of all fishing ports, who would do well to memorialize 

 Government to take these matters into immediate consideration, 

 and bring the same amount of energy to bear upon them as they 

 already have upon the salmon and oyster fisheries. 



10th. This can be easily accomplished by the appointment of a 

 fishery inspector, whose business should be to visit the various 

 fishing stations, to receive reports from local sub - inspectors, and 

 go out in trawling vessels and take notes of their operations, as 

 well as examine the contents of thvir nets. The Government 

 would do well to provide a trawler, manned by a trawling crew 

 thon ughly up to the work, and commanded by a local sub- 

 inspector, who should be well acquainted with marine zoology, 

 and should go out in the vessel and superintend the trawling. 

 He should also keep an accurate record of the results of his ex- 

 aminations of the contents of the nets, which he should furnish 

 to the inspector at his periodical visit. If the fish produce of 



