2 
There being a general conviction in Scotland of the 
decline of our salmon fisheries, and no appearance of any 
intention on the part of the Executive Government to 
adopt remedial measures, a number of fishery proprietors 
and representatives of angling clubs, conceived the idea 
of forming an Association for endeavouring to make the 
Scotch public aware of the virtual non-existence of any 
proper system of protection and management of the 
fisheries, and also to urge upon Government the necessity 
of better legislative arrangements. 
At a public meeting in Edinburgh, held in January 1881, 
the Scotch Fisheries Improvement Association was estab- 
lished with that view. His Grace the Duke of Sutherland 
consented to be President ; and the Earl of Breadalbane, 
‘the Earl of Dalhousie, Lord Polwarth, the late Sir Robert 
Christison, Sir James M. Gibson, and myself were ap- 
pointed Vice-Presidents ; with a Council of fifteen mem- 
bers, practically acquainted with the subject of salmon 
fisheries. 
This Association has accordingly, by means of public 
meetings for discussion, by circulation of Reports, and by 
sending memorials and deputations to Government, en- 
deavoured to make known and urge the necessity of 
remedial measures. 
I also individually endeavoured to contribute some 
amount of help towards the same object, by the publica- 
tion of a small tract, to explain the reason why the 
District Fishery Boards authorised by the Acts of 1862 
and 1868 were so much disapproved of in Scotland.* 
I there ventured to suggest that the lines of the 
* In Appendix C., p. 42, extracts from this tract are given by the 
courteous permission of the Executive Committee of this Exhibition 
