of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



XXXV 



Owing to reckless over-fishing and the absence of regulation most 

 of these beds eventually became extinct, but in recent years the 

 question of reviving them has been receiving serious consideration, 

 and the first step in this direction was taken some years ago, when a 

 company was formed whose object was the resuscitation of the Bay of 

 Firth fishery. A short account of their operations is given in the 

 annual report of the officer of Orkney district (Appendix L, p. 220), 

 from which it will be seen that there is every likelihood that the enter- 

 prise will ultimately be crowned with success. 



Mussels. 



The total quantity of mussels gathered in 1914 was 96,655 cwts., 

 the value of which was £5202. as compared with 78,576 cwts. and 

 £4371 in 1913. The increased output is explained by the large demand 

 for these molluscs as bait which set in towards the close of the year, 

 owing to the stimulus which the premature closing of the English 

 herring fishing season gave to small-line fishing. 



Clams. 



The Firth of Forth beds furnish practically all the clams landed in 

 Scotland. In 1914 the output amounted to 7352 cwts., valued at 

 £1093, as compared with 6853 cwts. and £1024 in the preceding year. 



Unclassified Shell-fish. 



The returns under this heading relate principally to cockles, 

 shrimps, and periwinkles. The total catch amounted to 36,851 cwts., 

 which realised £11,612 — a decrease in quantity of 4223 cwts., but an 

 increase in value of £352 as compared with 1913. 



[Table, 



