30 THE HERRING FISHERIES. 



that they both disturb and destroy immense quantities of 

 herring spawn, and a very recent instance was cited by the 

 Cockenzie fishermen and laid for redress before the Lord 

 Advocate at Edinburgh, urging him to draw attention to 

 this and other grievances they have to suffer. This is a 

 public question, and may be dealt with at some length. 

 The allegation was that a trawler brought up an immense 

 quantity of herring spawn, and that it was sold for 

 " manure." This is an old story, for the same complaints 

 were made against the English trawlers, and at a com- 

 mission of inquiry appointed by Government, it was alleged 

 by a South Shields fisherman that he had drawn up himself 

 three and a half tons of fish-spawn, and further, that he 

 has seen a ton and a half of herring spawn offered for 

 manuring purposes. 



It is important to remember that up to the present date 

 there is no diminution, but, as we think, rather an increase 

 in the herring fishery ; for all that it behoves us, for the 

 future interest of our sea wealth, to make the strictest 

 inquiries from competent sources and legislate accordingly. 

 More than fifty tons of herring have been taken at one 

 haul, and, considering the constant drain at all times of the 

 year by the varied enemies of the herring, there is reason 

 enough to feel anxious about the future welfare of our 

 herring fishery. 



The report of the Fishery Commissioners issued in 1879, 

 estimates that 120,000,000,000 of herrings are annually 

 destroyed by men, birds and fishes around the British 

 coast, but that 1,200,000,000,000 eggs are deposited ,in the 

 sea as a balance against this draught. 



It is a fact that fifty years ago large quantities of fine 

 herring could be found as far up the Firth of Forth as 

 Alloa, and the curing troughs still remain along the coast 



