own 



^9^ THE SEA FISHERIES 



with an auxiliary internal-combustion engine, would hold its 



in the great herring fishery. 



^^ The Minority Report, after stating their reasons very fully sav 



It IS because we think it of gteat importance to the we ll^Sf 



he V^dustry as a whole, that a type of boat intermediate be ween 



the bare sail boat and the steam drifter should be evolved to be 



used m the great herring fishery, that we recommend thT^ro^'ion 



of assistance from public funds for this proposal " 



At present the Fishery Board for Scotland assists the inshore 

 nsnermen mamly m four ways : — 



1. By the dissemination of information as to market prices, etc 



2. By loans. 



3- By grants in aid of harbour construction. 



4- By co-operation with the Congested Districts Board (Scotland) 

 in developmg the fisheries of the Minch and West Highland lochs. 



Under the first heading the Board furnish telegraphic information 

 of the progress of the herring fishery. Provision for granting loans 

 to fishermen was made by the Crofters Holdings Act of i886, the 

 responsible authority to be the Fishery Board. These loans were 

 for the building of new boats, the purchase and repair of existing 

 boats, the purchase of gear ; and under the Public Works Loan 

 Act of 1887 a grant of £30,000 was made to the Fishery Board for 

 this purpose. After 1891 no further loans were madeon account 

 of the great difficulties experienced in recovery, which were much 

 enhanced by the inaccessibility of many of the fishing villages. 

 Accounts were finally closed in 1908, by which time 79 per cent of 

 the total principal sum advanced was recovered. 



The assistance afforded by the Fishery Board for the preservation, 

 maintenance and extension of the smaller fishery harbours, has been 

 of vital importance to the inshore fishermen, and it is much to be 

 regretted that nothing of the kind has previously been accomplished 

 in England and Wales. From ist January, 1883, to 31st December, 

 1913, the Fishery Board for Scotland spent £iii,555 on the erection 

 and improvement of piers and harbours ; in addition to this sum 

 the localities concerned raised no less than £55,055. The Parlia- 

 mentary grant for this purpose is made under 5 Geo. IV, c. 64. 



