of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



17 



2. Remedial measures :— The pollution by sewerage from the City of Aber- 

 deen has been very considerably lessened since the main sewer referred 

 to in previous reports has been completed and in working order. 



The Salmon Disease— 



1. Disease made its appearance this year in the month of November 1908, 



and reached its height at end of December. 

 The river was comparatively free of diseased fish early in January, but not 

 yet completely so. 



2. The number of diseased fish taken from the river and destroyed was as 



follows : — 



Males. Females. 

 Kelts, 467 122 



The Spawning Season— 



1. Fish were first noticed spawning on 25th October (rather later than usual). 



2. The greatest number spawned in upper reaches in November ; lower reaches 



in December. 



3. Spawning ceased about middle of January. 



4. As regards numbers of breeding fish, and state of the water, the past 



spawning season is regarded as very good in main river, but poor in 

 tributaries, owing to low water in October and first fortnight in November. 



Smolts— 



1. Smolts were noticed to be migrating seawards about middle of March. 



2. As a smolt year 1908 was considered to be rather poor, but river running- 



high in March and April, so that smolts may have migrated seawards in 

 great numbers without being observed. 



Artificial Propagation of Salmon- 

 Hatchery at Drum has not been used this season. 



REPORT FROM DON DISTRICT. 



Take of Fish— 



3. Particulars as to the times grilse and sea trout appeared are as follow : — 



First grilse caught 5th May at Nether Don coast fishing — South station ; 

 sea trout, 11th February, at opening of fishing season — most plentiful in 

 June and July. 



4. The weight of the heaviest salmon taken during the season was 35 lbs., at 



Nether Don fishing, by fixed engine in the sea, 12th August ; 28 lbs., 

 by rod and line at Cruives of Don, near Aberdeen, on 8th October. 



Protection— 



1. The assessable rental for 1908 was £3945 10s. 



2. The assessment levied was at the rate of 14 per cent., yielding £552 8s. 3d. 



3. The water bailiffs employed are 16 in number during close time ; reduced to 



3 in June, July, and August. 



Pollutions— 



1. The existing pollutions are chiefly mill refuse and sewerage. 



2. Remedial measures : — The large sewer that has been in progress for the last 



three years is now practically completed, but it has not yet been opened. 

 It is expected to be in operation some time during the ensuing summer. 



The Salmon Disease— 



1. Disease made its appearance this year in the month of December, and 



reached its height in end of January. 

 The river was free of diseased fish in end of March. 



2. The number of diseased fish taken from the river and destroyed was as 



follows : — 



Males. Females. 

 Kelts, 27 23 



