A semi-official estimate has been very carefully compiled of the supposed total annual value of the F. of Scotland (exclusive of salmon), with the following result: Herrings £960,485 Sprats. 7,022 Cod and ling 206,201 Haddock and whiting 264,595 Turbot and other flat fish. 12,280 Oysters. 14,100 Lobsters, etc. 32,269 Muscles and whelks 8,479 Total..... £1,505,431 Assuming that as many salmon are eaten in Scotland as are sent to London, that would give us 46,056 boxes of 112 lbs. each; and taking the average price as five pounds per box, the sum, added to the above, would be £230,280, making a grand total of £1,785, 711. No materials exist for forming a detailed estimate of the annual value of the English coast-fisheries. The Irish sea-fisheries are rapidly declining. In the year 1846, there were nearly 20,000 boats and vessels of various sizes engaged in the Irish F.; but in 1872, the number employed in the fishery was only 8,000. In 1846, the number of men and boys employed in connection with the sea-fisheries of Ireland was 100,000; in 1872, the number shown in the returns was only a little over 31,000. By the year 1875, the numbers had declined to 5,919 boats and 15,000 men and boys.
The food-fisheries of France are now becoming co-extensive with those of Britain, so far as the capture of sea-fish and crustaceans are concerned. A very large number of sardines arc annually caught and cured in the French seas, the cure of this little fish being a very remunerative industry at Concarnenu and other places. In the cultivation of those less important fishes which thrive best in lakes, canals, and rivers, the French excel us, for while we only cultivate these for purposes of amusement (see, ANGLING), the French people make them an article of commerce, and derive considerable sums of money from their, sale. At one time, the whole fresh-water F. belonging to France were not of so much value as one of our salmon streams; but by means of artificial cultivation and careful nursing, they have been much increased in value, and, by the care of the government, are being yearly improved. The fresh-water F. of France are of great extent, some of the fishponds in that country being upwards of thirty thousand acres. These F. are all more or less under the control of the government. In Paris, the annual consumption of fish has been estimated to give for each individual 30 lbs. of sea-fish, and 1 lb. of fresh-water fish. ' Among the foreign P. most worthy of notice are the river-fisheries of Germany. where the culture of the Danube salmon and other fresh-water fish is assiduously car ried on. In the Mediterranean, various kinds of fish are taken, the one of greatest value being the tunny. The anchovy and sardine are also taken in large quantities.
An account of the great eel-fishery at the mouth of the Po, on the Adriatic, has already been given in this work. See ComAccato, The Dutch are at present as industrious upon the sea as they were at the time when they founded Amsterdam. and a large pro portion of the population of Holland are engaged in their F., which are still a source of wealth to that kingdom. The herring, although not taken by the Dutch in such large quantities as formerly, is as carefully cured as ever, Dutch-cured herrings having a great reputation. Excellent salmon are taken in the mouths of the Rhine, many of which are sent to London for sale, as they can be eaten at a time when British salmon cannot be obtained. The Norwegian F. afford large quantities of lobsters and turbots, while from Newfoundland is derived a plentiful supply of cod orling. The Newfound land F., which are principally for cod, have existed for upwards of three centuries. Sir Francis Drake was the first person who fished there on behalf of England, and the fish lie sent home soon excited a spirit of enterprise in the country, which led to the dispatch of a large number of ships and the extension of the fishery. The island is surrounded by the cod-banks, and the capture and cure of this fish form the staple occupation of the people. In America, immense quantities of shad are bred artificially in order to aid the natural supplies; the " pisciculture" of salmon has also been com menced on a large scale, that fish having become scarce near the scats of great popula tion. See NEWFOUNDLAND.
The oil-fisheries are not so important as they were at one time, the invention of gas and the discovery of other lubricants having rendered us independent of whale oil. The success of the whale-fisheries has also fluctuated so much as to prevent modern capitalists from embarking very largely in the trade. The only novelties that distinguish the whale-fishery of the present day are the introduction of steam-whalers, and, in some instances, of vessels wintering in Greenland ; but, with all these advantages, our whalers barely pay their expenses, and the fishery, as compared with former years, exhibits a considerable falling off. The total whaling fleet numbered at one time 159 ships, but to-day it barely amounts to a tenth of that number. The seal is now largely captured for the purpose of obtaining its oil, many thousands being annually killed by British sealers, as many as 15,000 being taken by the men of a single ship. See WHALE, CAC IIOLOT, SEAL, GREENULND, etc. The South-sea or sperm-whale fishery is penci pal ly in the hands of the Americans, who pursue'this branch of commerce most success fully.