12 MUSSEL CULTURE 



in these directions is not sufficient to remove, to 

 any appreciable extent, our present difficulties. 

 The number of Scotch fishermen appears to be 

 at present decreasing, but if we now turn to a 

 study of the most recent returns ^ as to fishing 

 gear in use, we find that, taking lines alone, 

 the length, exclusive of bush and buoy ropes, 

 amounted in 1893 to 74,779,090 yards, or to a 

 little over 42,488 miles — a line which would 

 encircle the world one and three-quarter times. 

 We find at the same time that the length of 

 hand-lines used is estimated at 2,100,130 yards. 

 Deducting this, we still have the great total of 

 72,678,960 yards of ' set line.' 



To estimate the number of hooks on this length 

 of line is a matter of some difficulty, since a 

 considerable variation occurs in the arrangement 

 and number used in different localities, and on 

 hand-lines. 



In the Eyemouth, Leith, and Anstruther districts, 

 fishermen commonly use 1200 hooks on each line, 

 while as we go north the number diminishes. At 

 Montrose, for instance, iioo is usual; at Fraser- 

 burgh, 800 ; at Findhorn, 600 ; at Nairn, 500 are 



^ Twelfth Annual Report of the Fishery Board for Scotland, 

 1894, Part I. Appendix A, No. i, p. 6. 



