of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



xiii 



Grilse were again of less relative importance in the total catch 

 than used to be the case. Unfortunately, we are unable to state 

 what the actual figure is, since the returns with which we are 

 favoured, and which are sent gratuitously, do not differentiate 

 between salmon and grilse. We have repeatedly deplored the 

 absence of adequate statistics as to the salmon catch, and, as the 

 capture of grilse seems more and more to decline, some more accurate 

 knowledge of what is actually happening is highly desirable. 



It has been pointed out by the Inspector that in the early 

 part of last century the grilse taken at Berwick-upon-Tweed alone 

 was not infrequently a hundred times greater than the present-day 

 catch for the whole of Scotland, and that in a period of twenty years, 

 when normal fluctuations would be included, the catch never fell 

 below a figure thirty times as great as the present-day catch for the 

 whole of Scotland. 



In recent years, in accordance with the request that reports 

 should be abbreviated, the annual statements from District Fishery 

 Boards have been omitted. The actual catch in many districts is 

 never reported, the Inspector being informed either that no record 

 is kept, or that the information cannot be obtained. It is obvious, 

 however, that the various salmon fishery tenants, and especially 

 those who fish by net for commercial purposes, keep a careful record 

 of all their catches. Extracting from the reports of the two last 

 seasons the catches which are given in the case of certain more 

 important districts, the following figures are available : — 



The Tweed Commissioners, although not under the general 

 supervision of the Board, have kindly sent a return annually since 

 1903. In 1916, the take by fixed engines in the sea was 5150, by 

 sweep nets at the mouth of the river, 10,679, and by rods (approxi- 

 mately) 2451, making a total of 18,280 fish. These figures were 

 regarded as below the average. In 1917, the respective figures were 

 9150, 25,188, and 2389, making a total of 36,727 fish, an increase 

 of 18,447. The fixed net fishing was regarded as a good average, but 

 the sweep netting and the results from rod fishing are still stated to 

 be below the average. 



The Findhorn District in 1916 produced, by fixed net, 11,004; by 

 sweep net, 3172 ; and the return for the rods could not be given. In 

 1917 the result was, by fixed engine, 10,090; by sweep net, 2370; 

 the total net catch for each year was therefore, in 1916, 14,176; in 

 1917, 12,460— a decrease of 1716 fish. 



On the east coast of Sutherland, where, in peace time no netting 

 was carried on to any great extent, two rivers have been netted in 

 1917 together with the catch by rod, resulting in a catch of 2907 

 salmon, including 79 sea trout. 



The nets on the north coast of Sutherland where grilse pre- 

 ponderate in the catch, produced in 1916, 1292 fish, and in 1917, 

 5855 fish — an increase of 4563. 



It is unfortunate that no records can be given as to important 

 districts like those of the Tay, Dee, Don, North Esk, Spey, and others. 



[Table. 



