MUSSEL BAIT — SUPPLY AND DEMAND 15 



A most significant statement is made in the 

 current Report of the Scottish fishery Board,^ as 

 follows : 'It is interesting to note that the 

 quantity of fresh fish imported into Scottish 

 ports last year was 18,000 cwt., valued at ^5000. 

 The bulk of this return consisted of shell-fish, of 

 wJiich 14,500 cwts., valued at about ^^4000, were 

 imported. Mussels contributed principally to 

 these figures, these molluscs being brought over 

 from Holland for use as bait by the line-fishermen. 

 Nearly 2400 cwts. of herrings, valued at ;^6oo, 

 were also imported, principally from Norway, 

 being brought over in ice, and used as bait. As 

 compared with the preceding year, the quantity of 

 mussels imported decreased to the extent of 

 20,800 cwts., and the value by ;^2300.' 



The value per cwt. of Holland mussels is about 

 5 s. 6d. This is a large figure when compared to 

 the average price of is. id. paid for native mussels, 

 and is prohibitive to many fishermen dependent 

 on their own resources. The fact that it is neces- 

 sary to import a mollusc which grows naturally in 

 great abundance on our own shores is in itself 

 significant of the condition of our bait beds. We 



^ Twelfth Annual Report of the Fishery Board for Scotland, 

 1894, Part I. p. xvi. 



