1 66 THE SEA-TROUT 



taken out of the river and buried from November 1914, to May 1915, 

 gave the following particulars : — 



1,045 82 1,127 



The number for the year 19 13-14 was 1,689, ^nd for the previous year 

 2,343. Since 1879, when the annual returns of diseased fish were 

 instituted, the numbers of fish buried up to date were : — salmon, 

 111,782; grilse, 17,515; sea-trout, 26,565 — total, 155,862." These 

 figures of course seem very alarming, and may be hastily thought to 

 negative my views expressed above, but a known death-rate of 284 

 spent sea-trout out of the enormous numbers that ascend the Tweed 

 each year is really not a serious matter taking local circumstances into 

 account. It is probable that the river Tweed is responsible for the 

 highest death-rate amongst spent fish of any river, but it is a question 

 how far disease and pollution together accentuate the risks of the 

 spawning period. I am of opinion that the loss due to the exhaustion 

 consequent on spawning alone may in general in Scotland be said to 

 be practically nil in the case of the sea-trout. 



I have already referred incidentally to the illegal capture of kelt 

 sea-trout (see page 132). The law, it may be repeated here, is quite 

 conclusive in Scotland regarding the capture of spent fish whether in 

 fresh water, in the estuary, or in the sea, and whether during close time 

 or in the open season.' The law is, moreover, of general application 



1. Every person who sliall wilfully take, fish for, or attempt to take, or aid or assist in taking, 

 fishing for. "or attemptini; to take, any unclean or unseasonable salmon, or who shall buy, sell, or 

 e.xpose for sale, or have in his possession, any unclean or unseasonable salmon, shall be liable to a 

 penalty not exceeding five pounds in respect of each such fish taken, sold, or exposed for sale, or 

 in hispo.ssession, and shall forfeit every such fish ; but this section shall not apply to any person 

 who takes such fish accidentally, and forthwith returns the same to the water with the least 

 possible iniurj', or to any per.son who takes or is in possession of such fish for artificial propagation 

 or scientific purposes. — Salmon Fisheries (Scotland) Act, 1868, § XX. 



