The Express.
London, England, 1846-11-04 00:00:00

REI'ORT ON THE IRISH FISHERIES.

The fourth annual report of the Commissioners of
Public Works, addressed to the Lord Lieutenant, on the
Fisheries of Ireland, having been printed, a brief abstract of
its contents is subjoined.
The Commissioners say that throughout the year 1845
they had been able to trace a general improvement in the
fisheries of the country. Since the last report was issued two
Acts have been passed in reference to then, one relating
chiefly to the regulation of the salmon and oyster fisheries,
and the other having for its object the encouragement of the
construction of piers, harbours, and other works for fishing
purposes, The following abstract shows a progressive
increase in the number of vessels and of men engaged in the
fisheries, as compared with the registry for the previous

I'Wxl.

Year. Alen and ilfes sod Vessels & Men End
Boys. Boys. Boats.
1844 2,237 —11,193 13,718 I 73,513 17,933 94,708
1845 I 2,371 12,175 17,312 80,899 19,883 93,073

There can be no doubt, it is added, that the fisheries will
continue to progress in extent and importance, aided as they
will be by the enactment for promoting tho security and in-
creasing the accommodation for vessels employed in the
trade, and by improved facilities for internal communication.
It is matter of congratulation that during the past season
there have been few or none of those disputes among the
fishing communities which prevailed more er less iu former
years.
The different fisheries are then classified, and observations
are made under each division.—Deep Sea Fisheries : In this
department the commissioners have abstained from intro-
ducing restrictive provisions er by-laws as regards the modes
or times of fishing in the open sea; and by this course,
coupled with suitable explanations and the force of example
and increased experience, prejudices are being removed, and
the way prepared for the introduction of skill and peaceable
habits. In former reports allusion was made to the establish-
ment of a small fishing company at Dunmore, county Water-
ford. The success of the company led others to follow their
example, and the boats of fire companies are now fishing in
the same locality. There are in all twelve very fine cutters,
averaging a weekly produce throughout the year of nearly
1001. The prejudices of the native fishermen against the use
of the deep sea trawl net are nearly extinguished, and the
people are most solicitous for the increase of the number of
large vessels, in order that they may obtain berths. Dealers
and exporters have sprung up in the neighbourhood of
Waterford, and the companies need no longer trouble them-
selves about the disposal of their fish. On the average
of three years, the returns of one company exceeded 15 per
cent. on the capital invested. Though much of the success
obtained is attributable to daily steam communication with
England, and a steady remunerative price, yet, indepen-
dently of these, there is sufficient to encourage the trader
(who should combine a system of curing with his traffic in
fresh fish) to make exertions similar to those of the Water-
ford companies in many of the more westerly stations on the
coast. A more general adoption of a system of curing would
be a very important step in the advancement of the Irish
fisheries. Advantage might be derived from adopting the
practice prevalent in England of proprietors and other per-
sons in the neighbourhood of fishing stations advancing
capital for the construction of improved boats, fishing gear,
&c., on the security of shares, held in a sort of partnership
with the fishermen in the boats, and profits of fishing. This
would be • legitimate and safe mode of encouraging the
fisheries. _ _ .

OYSTER FISHERIES.—This subject was treated fully in
the last report. The act since pared (8 and 9 Vic., c. 108)
affords, with previous enactments, all that appears necessary
in the way of legislation for the regulation and advancement
of this branch of the fisheries. It is hoped that through the
instrumentality of the coast-guard, and increased exertions
on the part of the constabulary on shore, the strict observance
of the close season will be enforced. Attention is now being
directed to the formation of artificial beds or laying'.
Loßarsa. Fisazaiss. —An attempt to introduce new
modes of capture off the southern coast of Wexford has been
frustrated for the present by the jealousy of the neighbour-
inhabitants.
SPRAT FISHING By MEANS OF FIXED NETS OR WEIRS.
—As the object is useful, with a view to the supply of bait
for the deep sea fisheries, it is proposed to grant licences in
all cases in which a prinsd facie prescriptive right is shown,
taking precautions against injury to the salmon fisheries
during the close season.
SALMON FISHERIES.--.CLOSE SEASON.—After speaking
of the difficulty and dispute in which this subject is involved,
the commissioners express a hope that the time is not far
distant when one uniform close salmon season will be esta-
blished by law both in Great Britain and in Ireland—the
habits of the fish being substantially the same in both eoun-
triis. As regards the sea and tideways no objection can be
made to the observance of a uniform close season, but a slight
departure from uniformity in the upper or fresh water por-
tions of rivers will be found judicious. In order that the
rivers may be fully stocked with a supply of early breeding
fish (a most important object for all parties), there should be
a cessation from all kinds of fishing for salmon from an early
period of the autumn. The opening during any part of the
monthofJanuary would on the whole be injudicious; and the
few who might derive immediate advantage from it would be
amply rewarded for any temporary loss which they might
sustain from being prevented from fishing in that month. It
is therefore proposed, " Ist, That in the upper or fresh-water
portions of rivers throughout Ireland, there shall be a uni-
form close season, as regards every mode of fishing for
salmon, from the 16th of September to the last day of Feb-
ruary inclusive. 2nd, That in the sea and tideways there
shall be a uniform close season from the let of Septem-
ber to the 31st of January inclusive. 3rdly, That all net fishing
for salmon and trout shall cease in the upper portions of rivers
on the 31st August; and that angling only for the fish shall
be remitted until the 15th of September." Some doubt
having been expressed whether angling should not be per-
mitted later than the 15th of September, after due considera-
tion it is thought undesirable that angling should form an
exception. The commissioners further observe that, the
rivers being the natural nurseries both for the fish within
their banks and at their mouths, and for the public fisheries
on the pout, the times to be allowed for fishing therein must