CONFERENCE ON THURSDAY, JUNE 28, 1883. 



SIR LYON PLAYFAIR in the Chair. 



THE HERRING FISHERIES OF 

 SCOTLAND. 



IN the paper I am about to read on the Herring Fisheries, 

 I do not propose to discuss the natural history of the 

 herring, as that is a subject which at these Conferences, 

 and elsewhere, has been amply dealt with by far more 

 competent authorities. 



I propose to treat the Herring Fisheries from a practical 

 point of view, showing the progress of the industry, its 

 national importance, and the requirements for the mainten- 

 ance and further development of the most productive 

 Fishery of the United Kingdom. 



A knowledge of the natural history and habits of the 

 herring is doubtless necessary for the proper treatment of 

 the subject, even from the point of view I am attempting 

 to deal with it, but scientific authorities differ in so 

 many important matters concerning the natural history 

 and migration of the herring, and so little is positively 

 known on the subject, that I think it prudent to avoid 

 controversial points of natural history, and to confine 

 myself to such practical matters as have come under my 

 notice in legislation connected with the Herring Fisheries, 



