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MR, T. SOUTHWELL ON THE HERRING FISHERY. 
I trust I may be excused for this lengthy digest of Mr. Pearcey’s 
paper, and would plead in excuse the dearth of accurate information 
Avith regard to the habits of this important fish, and the hope that 
an indication as to the line of research whicli is desirable may 
induce some of our Yarmouth and LoAvestoft friends to interest 
themselves in an investigation Avhich is sure to repay their labour, 
and may lead to results of the greatest importance to the 
fishing trade. , 
The Spring Herring Fishery opened avoII at LoAvestoft both as to 
quantity and price, but the (quality of the fish Avas Avhat miglit 
have been expected of such unseasonable stuff. The first fcAv fish 
brought in realised from £6 to £7 per last (13,200), but by the 
middle of March the price had fallen to £ 3 , or much less, according 
to supply. A little later the quality of the fi.sh improved so much, 
that one of the reports of tlie market stated some of them Avere 
“good enough to kipper, a process not often undergone at this 
season of the year ; ” but so much depends upon supply, that in the 
end of April, Avhen fish had become scarce and Avere much AVanted 
for bait, as much as £30 for a single last Avas obtained.* A feAV 
Herring Avere taken in the month of Majq but by the end of that 
month the boats Avere more profitably employed in the l\Iackerel 
fishery. The spring catch for LoAvestoft Avas 2632 lasts, and 
that for Yarmouth 659 lasts, — about the usual quantity for 
the former port, and rather over the average for the latter. 
It is doubtful Avhether this spring fishing is very profitable 
to anybody ; certainly it must be a most Avasteful proceeding ; 
but the fish Avould be much missed, being very useful for bait for 
the line fishing. 
During June and July little is done in the Avay of the Herring 
Fishery. A feAv fish are landed Avith the Mackerel; but by the end of 
August the Yarmouth boats begin in earnest, and by the commence- 
ment of September (LoAvestoft is a little later) most of the 
boats are out ; and a more busy scene than the fish-Avharves at 
Yarmouth and LoAvestoft at that time and till Christmas cannot be 
imagined. All is bu.stle and life, the fishermen landing the silvery 
beauties from the boats, spreading them on the floor of the Avharf, 
* This apiJies to Lowestoft. At Yarmouth, I am informed, the bulk 
of the Spring Herring are sent aivay to inland markets, and very few are 
used for bait. 
