REPORT ON THE CONFERENCES HELD 
AT 
CERTAIN OF THE FISHING CENTRES OF 
NORTHUMBERLAND. 
Wo have been content in the past to rely almost entirely upon 
the results of our trawling experiments for information in regard to 
the condition of our in-shore waters. These are made at the only 
time available, vi/.., during the summer, and consequently do not 
afford a comparative statement as to the winter, when line fishing 
is prosecuted to some extent along the coast. The experiments do 
not afford any information either as to the nearer grounds, which 
are not inside the territorial waters, and such forms therefore as 
only come in occasionally, e.g., the haddock, can only be 
inadequately reported upon or not at all. Nevertheless, we are 
convinced that the statistical information we already possess, even 
though it only apply to a small portion of the year and to the 
purely in-shore fish, offers the only final and reliable figures avail- 
able. If we turn to the Board of Trade’s reports for information, 
we have to remember the serious and seemingly well-founded 
accusation that, except for one or two places as far as our district 
is concerned, the statistics are worthless. One does not come into 
contact with fishermen, however, without hearing over and ovei 
again very serious complaints in regard to the state of their calling. 
The figures, they say, which the Board of Trade get for the villages 
at least, are made up by men who know nothing about fish and 
fishing and are quite erroneous, and therefore are not the standard 
* 
they are meant to be by which the condition of the fisheries can be 
judged. They will point out glaring examples of errors and appeal 
to their comrades to bear them out. The charge becomes serious 
when merchants of standing in the district say that it is quite true 
and would be seen to be true by anyone who would care to analyse 
the figures. 
It thus became desirable to get from the fishermen a statement 
as to the condition of the fisheries, and the meetings which the 
Technical Education Committee desired to be held in the district 
