of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



xlix 



received new boilers and an extensive overhaul at Devonport, and 

 H.M.S. "Gossamer" relieved her during the time she was withdrawn 

 from fishery duty. These vessels were employed at Shetland and in 

 the Moray Firth, where British and foreign fishermen ; employing 

 different methods of fishing, meet, as there is always a risk of friction 

 arising under such circumstances. The Board's cruisers performed 

 duties similar to those of last year — the "Vigilant" and "Minna" 

 having been employed on the West Coast, the " Brenda " and " Freya " 

 on the East Coast, and the " Norna " on the North Coast with Orkney 

 and Shetland. These vessels, however, relieve each other on the 

 different stations from time to time as circumstances require. The 

 " Norna " was also engaged in October on special duty with a Fishery 

 Committee at Continental ports. I\o accidents occurred to the 

 vessels, and the hulls, boilers, and engines were maintained in good 

 order. The following table gives some details of the routine work 

 performed by them during the year : — 



Number of 



Name of Cruiser. 



" Norna." 



" Freya." 



Minna." 



" Brenda." 



"Vigilant" 



Days at Sea, . 



Knots Steamed, . 



Illegal Trawling Uetec- \ 

 tions, . - . J 



Boats detained for \ 

 breach of Lettering, {_ 

 Numbering, and \ 

 Lighting Regulations j 



252 

 21,822 



4 

 62 



246 

 17,091 



11 



258 



229 

 16,388 



1 



164 



271 

 19,681 



6 



358 



252 

 14,291 



2 

 50 



This table does not, however, by airy means bring out the varied 

 and multifarious duties which devolve upon the Commanders and 

 officers of Fishery cruisers. They are called upon to enforce the laws 

 and regulations regarding beam and otter trawling and flounder-net 

 fishing, and in certain West Coast areas they must see that the 

 daylight and weekly close times for herring fishing are observed. 

 They have further to examine certificates of registry, enforce the 

 regulations for the proper lettering and numbering of fishing boats 

 (which assist so much in establishing the identity of offenders against 

 the fishery laws), and see that the vessels carry the necessary lights 

 (as defined by the Board of Trade regulations) for preventing 

 collisions at sea. In addition to all these duties, they have to 

 investigate complaints made by fishermen, and adjudicate on claims 

 arising from damage caused to one fishing boat or its gear by another 

 fishing boat, as well as to assist fishing boats in distress and recover 

 property and fishing gear lost at sea. 



It will thus be seen that the time of the Fishery cruisers is very 

 fully occupied, and the Board are glad to be able to say that the 

 work of the Commanders, officers, and crews has given every 

 satisfaction. 



d 



