The Reconstruction of the Fishing Industry

Abstract

IT is no secret that a most vigorous propaganda for the reconstruction of the entire fabric of fishery control is now being carried on by those engaged in the industry, and that this movement gathers force as the end of the war appears to come nearer. The English propaganda takes the form of proposals for the unification of fishery control by the creation of a Ministry having all the powers now exercised by branches of several Public Departments and by the local Fishery Committees. Its suggestions relate mainly to administrative and regulative reforms, to problems of marketing, transport, distribution, exploitation, and technical education. The Scottish proposals, which have just become public,¹ devote but slight attention to administrative changes, but emphasise in the strongest mariner the necessity for the organisation on a large scale of scientific research and education. Proposals for the reform of the Fishery Authority consist of the suggestion that the existing Fishery Board should cease to exist, or, rather; that it should be “assimilated in form to that of other Public Departments,” being “completely manned by Civil Servants and with a permanent head,” and coming into relation with the industry through a Consultative Board.