Fisheries of the North Sea

Abstract

MR.GREEN'S book is a very plainly written and (generally) a very accurate, short account of the British sea fisheries: it is quite the best of the modern works on the subject of which it treats. One may regard it as an attempt to anticipate the future by considering the present tendencies, and also by contrasting State adrninistration here with that of France, the United States, and Germany. Political developments are noticed and their possible effects discussed: the Empire resources development schemes and the expected economic boycott of Germany are policies which the author regards as short-sighted and likely to be disastrous to us. The former proposals he describes as “impracticable and unjust,” and the latter, he expects, will end in a great expansion of the fishery marines of both Norway and Germany, and the depreciation of the British herring fisheries: these theses are very well argued. Fishery organisation in foreign countries is described succinctly and rather to the disadvantage of France and Great Britain. “The administration of the fishing industry by the Norwegian Government is the best organised and most intelligent of all European countries.” “More than any other country, France protects and subsidises the fishing industry in order to provide a naval reserve… the constant interference of the Government may be said to be the chief cause of the unprogressive spirit among the workers.” America, Canada, and Japan have a chapter to themselves, and a picture of astonishing energy and progress is presented.

Fisheries of the North Sea.

By Neal Green. Pp. vii + 178. (London: Methuen and Co., Ltd., 1918.) Price 4s. 6d. net.