of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



275 



Obstructions to the Passage of Fish— 



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



2. Are the bye-laws observed in every case ? — Yes. 



3. Fish passes built or in prospect : — None. The existing fish passes afford 



a free and natural passage to fish at all times. 



Pollutions— 



None. 



The Salmon Disease— 



1. Disease made its appearance this year in the month of December 1913, and 



reached its height in January 1914. 

 The river was free of diseased fish in the latter end of May 1914. 



2, The number of diseased fish taken from the river and destroyed was 21, 



all kelts — 12 males and 9 females. 



The Spawning Season— 



1. Fish were first noticed spawning on 26th November 1913. 



2. The greatest number spawned between 1st December and 25th December 



1913. 



3. Spawning ceased end of December. 



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



spawning season is regarded as specially good. There was a very 

 large run of spawning fish in December, and the rivc^r was excellent 

 for them. 



Smolts— 



1. Smolts were noticed to be migrating seawards in the month of April 1914. 



2. As a smolt year 1914 was quite up to the average of former years. 



REPORT FROM DEVERON DISTRICT. 



Take of Fish— 



1. The estimated catch in relation to that of former years was : — 



(a) By fixed engine — An average fishing. 

 (6) By rod and line — Below average. 



2. Sea trout : — 



The number taken as compared with previous years was below 

 average. 



3. The weight of the heaviest salmon taken during the season was 42 lb. 

 The particulars of time and place of capture are : — 8th July, in bag-net 



off Whitehills. 



Protection— 



1 The assessable rental for 1914 was £3379 Gs. • ; 



2. The assessment levied was £450 10s. 



3. The water bailiffs employed are 10 in number. 



Obstructions to the Passage of Fish- 

 Are the bye-laws observed in every case ? — Yes, 



Pollutions— 



The existing j)ol!utions ;irc : — Refuse and sewage from 8 distilleries and 

 the towns of Hinitly, Keith, and Turriff. 



The Salmon Disease— 



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



reached its height in February. 

 The river was free of diseased fish in May. 



2, The number of diseased fish taken from the river and destroyed was 433, 



all kelts — 382 males and 51 females. 



