of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



23 



Artificial Propagation of Salmon— 



1. The number of ova secured locally during the past season was 1,000,000 



put into the hatching boxes at Drum Hatchery between 23rd and 28th 

 October 1904. 



2. In securing ova the numbers of male and female fish captured were 



respectively 182 and 246. Of the 1,000,000 ova, there were sub- 

 sequently removed from the boxes about 39,600 addled or dead. 

 The remainder appeared to be successfully hatched and were 

 deposited in burns or tributaries of the Dee, viz., the Baddoch 

 Burn, the Clunie, the Geldie, and the Byimoch Burn— all in the 

 vicinity of Braemar — on dates from the 10th to the 25th of May 1905, 

 apparently in a healthy and thriving condition. 



REPORT FROM DON (ABERDEENSHIRE) DISTRICT. 

 Take of Fish— 



1. As compared with the average results of previous years, the take of fish 



generally throughout the district has been slightly above an average 

 on coast, slightly below an average in river. 

 More particularly it has been 



(a) By fixed engines in the sea, slightly above average. 



(b) By sweep net in tidal or fresh waters, slightly below average. 



(c) By rod and line, about an average. 



2. Particulars as to the times grilse and sea trout appeared are as follows : — 



First grilse caught at Berryhill station on the sea- coast on 10th April. 

 Sea trout appeared in beginning of March. 



3. The weight of the heaviest salmon taken during the season was 60 lbs. 

 The particulars of time and place of capture are : — Berryhill station 



on the sea-coast in end of July 1905. A good many fish caught in 

 July 1905, ranging from 40 to 45 lbs. weight. 



Protection— 



1. The assessable rental for 1905 was £4153. 



2. The assessment levied was at the rate of 15 per cent, on the rental. 



3. The water bailiffs employed are 15 in number. 



4. Particulars as to prosecutions instituted are briefly as follows : — 13 cases 



of prosecution, implicating 26 men— 7 for taking unclean or unseason- 

 able salmon, 4 for using gaff or other illegal instrument, and 2 for 

 trespassing with intent. 25 of the men implicated were convicted. 

 15 of the convicted men went to prison, 10 settled fine and expenses, 

 and 1 not convicted. Fines ranged from 5s. to £10, besides expenses. 



Obstructions to the Passage of Fish— 



1. Dam dykes disused, built, or in prospect : — None. 



2. With regard to the observance of bye-laws : — No cause for complaint as 



to the non-observance of bye-laws either by owners or tenants of 

 fishings, 



3. Fish passes built or in prospect : — None. 



4. Natural obstructions not yet dealt with are : — Practically there are no 



natural obstructions on the Don requiring attention. 



Pollutions— 



1. The existing pollutions are from paper mills and wool mill on the 



banks of the lower river, and sewage matter from the northern 

 district of the city of Aberdeen, extending also beyond the limits of 

 the city boundary into the country. 



2. Remedial measures : — The construction of a large sewer is commenced 



(or to be commenced immediately) along the north bank of the river 

 from Grandhome Bridge, about three miles from the sea, which is the 

 northern extremity of the city boundary, which, it is hoped, will 

 clear the river of all deleterious matter within the city boundary, 

 discharging it into the sea about 2 miles south of the river mouth. 



