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The Scientific Work of the Fishery Board for 

 Scotland. 



By 



T. Wemyss Fulton, HI.B., 



Scientific Secretary, Fishery Board for Scotland. 



Up to 1882 the control of tlie Scottisli Fisheries was vested 

 in the Commissioners of British White Herring Fishery. This 

 body^ which was instituted in 1808, had for its functions the 

 general superintendence of the herring fishery, the branding of 

 herring barrels, the collection of trade statistics, and the adminis- 

 tration of an annual grant from the Government for the con- 

 struction and repair of fishery harbours. Later on, the cod and 

 ling fisheries were also brought under its care. But the duties 

 of the Commissioners were strictly limited to the fish cured, no 

 cognisance being taken of the fish landed and used in a fresh state. 



It was therefore scarcely to be expected that a Fishery Board 

 whose operations were thus circumscribed would concern itself much 

 about the scientific aspects of fishery questions. It is only in 

 recent years that the full value of systematised knowledge con- 

 cerning such questions has been generally recognised. Occasion- 

 ally, however, the Commissioners, yielding to the petitions of 

 fishermen or others connected with the industry, instituted inquiries 

 of a scientific character into such points as the distinction between 

 sprats and herrings, the destruction of immature herrings by sprat 

 fishers, or of their spawn by trawlers. 



Such investigations were, however, desultory and spasmodic. So 

 soon as the temporary agitation which gave them birth had died 

 away the inquiries lapsed ; and from this lack of continuity little of 

 value was accomplished. 



In 1882, in response to the growing feeling that the effective 

 management of fisheries should be based upon more extensive and 

 accurate knowledge, and should include every branch and detail 

 of the industry, the old Fishery Board was dissolved, and the 

 present organisation was established in its stead. All the duties 

 of the old Commission were relegated to the new Board, which, 

 in addition, had to take cognisance of the coast and deep sea 

 fisheries, and the salmon fishery ; and it was further empowered 



