xxii 



Thirty -eighth Annual Report 



WMle a reduction of netting in. certain rivers may certainly bring 

 about a reduction in the weight of fish sent to market from those 

 districts, it is nevertheless true that only by a large increase of stock 

 from our rivers can an abundance of salmon be available for capture 

 on the coast. It is, of course, vital to the future of the salmon fisheries 

 that a large breeding stock be fully maintained. 



It is highly desirable that regulative treatment should be so ad- 

 justed that the stock of fish from any one river may not be seriously 

 depleted by netting either in the same or in another district. There 

 is marked practical value, therefore, in ascertaining how far salmon 

 may be recognised as belonging to separate local races, and how far 

 these races may move along the coast. The full understanding of this 

 question is still rather obscure, and a good deal of further investigation 

 is required, but it is clear that the range of fish from any one river 

 may be wide, and that after fish have come in from the open sea, and 

 struck the coast, their movements along the shore may be extensive ; 

 bag nets are fished at points far from any river influence, as, for instance, 

 along the coast of East Lothian, or on the south shores of Fife. 

 Also it is noticeable that large takes of salmon are regularly obtained 

 in localities where a neighbouring river cannot possibly be the source 

 of all supplies. 



We believe, however, that the amount of research already carried 

 out enables a wider view to be taken of the various factors which 

 have to be considered in any just appreciation of future regulative 

 treatment. 



The general policy of keeping our rivers comparatively free of 

 nets is now very largely followed by proprietors and others who are 

 specially concerned in the upkeep of salmon stock. The actual 

 removal of nets has to be carried through entirely by the goodwill 

 and agreement of those who possess the rights of fishing. 



If overnetting in fresh water can be described as present only in 

 comparatively few districts, the other marked factors in the case 

 come into prominence. These are pollutions, abstraction of water, 

 and obstructions to the ascent and distribution of fish. 



While these appear to be recognised as the leading factors, apart 

 from overnetting in rivers, and it seems right that they should be 

 mentioned here, the existing statutory powers of the Board are 

 insufiicient to enable them to take action in regard thereto. We 

 may state, however, that in connection with the use of water for 

 the generation of electric power, the Inspector of Salmon Fisheries 

 attended before the Water Power Kesources Committee and gave 

 evidence. 



There are thirty-eight District Fishery Boards in existence in 

 Scotland, including the Police Committee of the Tweed Commissioners, 

 and these make annual reports to the Inspector of Salmon Fisheries. 

 During the years of war, in view of the necessity of curtailing the 

 amount of printed matter, these were not published, and for this year 

 also we follow the same practice. 



