British Mandate: A Survey of Palestine: Volume I - Page 438

CHAPTER XII.

levels, with the result that fish is generally classed as a luxury article of food, the wholesale price being about 300 roils per kilogramme.

ADMINISTRATION.

12. A Fisheries Service was first established in 1927, as a branch of the Department of Agriculture, but was abolished five years later, mainly for reasons of economy. A fishery expert, Mr. J. Hornell, F.L.S.,F.R.I., was, however, appointed in 1934 to carry out a survey of fisheries in Palestine, and as a result of his report the Fisheries Service was re-established in 1936/37. A technically trained Chief Fisheries Officer was appointed. The functions of this Service are administrative-issuing licences, collecting and compiling statistics, etc.; preventive-suppressing illegal methods of fishing and enforcement of fisheries rules; and instructional demonstration of suitable modern methods of fishing and the education of the fishermen. A demonstration fishing boat was purchased in 1937 and is used for experimental and demonstration work as well as for patrol duties in connection with "fish bombing".

LEGISLATION.

13. A Fisheries Ordinance was first enacted in 1926 but was re-enacted, with a considerable number of additions, in 1937* together with ancillary rules=". This Ordinance includes provision for the granting of licences to take fish and permits to land fish, the prohibition of dynamiting and rules to prohibit various practices and prescribing limits as to the size of fish taken, limits as to the size of nets and fees to be charged for licences and permits.

14. The following three tables afford an indication of the development of the industry since 1935.
_________________________________________
* Vol. I of 1937 legislation, page 157.

Vide page 103 of Vol. Il of 1937 legislation and index to that volume.

Page 438