Vol. 2 No. 1 - Modernist Magazines Project

J. P. DIGBY 38
that such a trap should be worked on the principle of the
hydraulic lift and that each separate compartment could be
raised at a slow speed. In this way sections of the trap
could be devoted to the retention, for counting purposes
only, of spawning fish and would be raised only to a sufficient
height to allow of counting, when the upper portion of the
trap could be lifted to allow of their passage up the river,
the balance of the fish being raised high and dry for marketing
purposes.
When consideration is given to the vast number of men,
boats and nets required to take the present commercial
catch of fish, the economy and hence the ability to propagate
fish inside the economy of the trap will be evident.
Furthermore, due to our present methods of catching
which often entail a delay of several days before placing our
fish on the market, Scotch fish command threepence a
pound more than ours. It was envisaged by the Commission
that the traps would be raised in just sufficient
time to allow of the fish being packed for transport and in
this way command the same price as Scotch fish.
Doubts were voiced at the time at this method of
establishing a spawning stock, the argument advanced
being that one could not foresee the biological effect on
spawning fish ascending the river through this method.
Since the proposals entailed a change, an unknown factor,
even the most energetic and progressive head of a department
must naturally view them with caution. When it is
considered, however, that many of the fish which ascend our
rivers at present for spawning purposes have escaped minus
portions of their gills from drift nets, and that many others
have escaped from draught nets after having been hauled
along the bottom of the estuary, against the comparative
lack of interference by the new method, the change should
not cause concern. Furthermore, in view of the scientific
advance that has been made in recent years the necessity
for retaining the fish for counting purposes should no longer
be necessary since the photo-electrical cell, or what is