of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 161 
1904-1905. 
| | Kotimated | 
| Estimated | Estimated | Estimated Estimated | tak cee 
| > 7 7 ge | 
Months. _ No. of (No.of Young! No. of — Total No. of | “o¢ Young | 
| Crans. | Herring. Sprats. | Fish. Herring. 
a ¥ —| js beh | ee 
October, . - | 154 91,152 355,248 446,400 20°4 
November, . : | 4853 7,581,639 | 12,133,721 | 19,715,360 38°5 
December, . a 408} 5,942,736 | 5,814,864 | 11,757,600 50°5 
January, 428% 9,654,192 2,693,808 | 12,348,000 78°2 
February, . ssa 98 167,184 110,016 | 277,200 60°3 
al es eee ee ee =e sc Pai Beate ae 
| 
| 1,847% 23,436,903 | 21,107,657 | 44,544,560 504 
It will be observed that the percentage of herring gradually and 
steadily increased from the commencement of the season until January, 
and was still at a high level when the fishing closed. 
Tay Sprat Fisninc INvestiGations—1904-1905, 
Causes of Fatlure of the Fishing. 
This season’s sprat fishing has been one of the poorest for many years, 
great distress prevailing amongst the fishermen during the first half of 
the season, or from October till the end of December. 
During that time both fishermen and buyers were losing money, and, 
at most, the fishermen were only able to pay for the wear and tear of 
gear, dock dues, and victualling. 
The principal causes of complaint were :— 
(1) The scarcity and poor quality of the fish. 
(2) The low prices obtained for the fish. 
(3) The alleged excessive railway rates, 
The mild open winter, want of south-easterly gales, and almost total 
absence of spates may have something to do with the scarcity of fish in 
the river, but, so far, I have not been able to prove that such causes have 
any influence upon the movements of the fish. 
As the bag-net captures all sizes and every kind of fish that enters the 
river, it follows that the very large numbers of young sprats and young 
herring, together with the usually considerable numbers of young cod, 
whiting, Agoni, shrimps, &c., all go to make up the so-called rubbishy 
stuff sent from Dundee to the English markets. 
This mixture of fish has no chance beside the prime sprats sent from 
Inverness, where the fishing is carried on by means of drift-nets. 
The railway companies charge from 6s. to 10s. per barrel for fish sent 
to the English markets. This rate is doubtless a severe handicap on the 
trade considering the small value of the produce, though it can scarcely 
be deemed high considering the bulk of the goods and the distance from 
Dundee to the great English towns 
General Account of the Fishing. 
By common agreement among the fishermen, the Tay sprat fishing 
begins on the 25th of September and ends on the 25th of February. 
