184 
Part III.— Tenth Annual Report 
not as satisfactory as is desirable, since beam-trawled fish were first 
differentiated in the official returns only as late as 1889, and the quan- 
tities of fish used fresh have only been given since 1883. Nevertheless, it 
is possible to institute some useful comparisons. Thus, between 1854 and 
1857, statistics were published representing the total quantities of cod, 
ling, &c. cured and used fresh, and likewise the length of lines possessed 
by the fishermen. These statistics give the following results : — 
Period. 
Length of Lines in 
Fathoms. 
Quantity of Cod, 
Ling, &c, caught 
in cwts. 
Fathoms of Lines 
per cwt. of Fish 
caught. 
1844 
1845-49 
1850-54 • 
1855-57 
8,501,775 
13,576,449 
13,610,144 
16,622,630 
297,230 
331,058 
330,472 
372,776 
28-5 
41-0 
41-2 
44-5 
These statistics extend over thirteen years, and they were apparently 
collected on a uniform basis throughout the period. The gradual increase 
in the length of the lines in relation to the fish caught may, therefore, 
indicate approximately what the case really was. 
Unfortunately, a similar return cannot be made for the years since 1883, 
for the reason stated in regard to trawled fish, and also because it is un- 
certain whether the above figures refer exclusively to cod and ling — or 
partly to other white fish as well. The only period during which a com- 
parison can be made with anything like accuracy is from 1889 to 1891, 
when trawled fish were separately recorded, and hence the line-caught 
fish may also be ascertained. The figures are as follows : — 
Period 
Length of Lines in 
Fathoms. 
Quantity of Fish 
caught in cwts. 
Fathoms of Lines 
per cwt. of Fish 
caught. 
1889 
36,793,834 
1,612,418 
22-8 
1890 
35,672,745 
1,577,298 
22-3 
1891 
36,187,132 
1,564,189 
23-1 
But it is evident the period is far too short for any conclusion to be based 
upon these figures alone, and in the latter table all kinds of white fish are 
included. 
But the strongest evidence of over-fishing is to be obtained from the 
statistics relating to beam-trawling. These have been given (p. 182), so far 
as concerns the number of vesssels, tonnage, and value. In regard to the 
quantity of fish caught, the figures are instructive. In the following 
table I give the tonnage of the vessels and the weight of fish caught in 
the years 1889-1891, as extracted from the official records ; the weight of 
fish caught in 1 888 is known iox the East Coast and calculated for the 
West Coast. 
