134 ABSTRACT OF EVIDENCE 



nets ; very destructive to the fish ; many porpoises 

 captured in stake-nets following the fish ; of very 

 great importance if a method could be devised by 

 which these rapacious monsters could be destroyed ; 

 their devastation enormous ; salmon taken in the 

 sea are the richest and best fish ; become unsound 

 after being detained in the fresh water any season, 

 and unfit for food but when they come immediately 

 out of the sea, ; close time should commence about 

 the Wth of September, and end at the latter end of 

 March or beginning of April ; thinks the same 

 period should extend to all rivers in England and 

 Scotland ; recommends the appointment of people 

 to superintend the rivers in close time, and to take 

 care of the spawning fish ; great numbers of newly 

 spawned fish are taken in February and March ; 

 decidedly of opinion that the close time should ex- 

 tend to the latter end of March or the beginning of 

 April ; by extending the close time so late all the 

 fry would escape ; salmon are unfit for use after 

 the 10th of September ; has seen many taken by the 

 1st of October quite unwholesome. Fishing opens 

 in the Tay on the Wth Dec. ; thinks this very in- 

 jurious ; pay no regard to the close time in Tay ; 

 equally advantageous to preserve the breeders and 

 the kelts, as the kelts may become breeders again ; 

 ascend in August as well as at the breeding time ; 

 cruive dykes not injurious to the fish going up to 

 spawn ; in close time they ought to be taken out ; not 

 injurious to salmon out of season ; recommends the 



