Ixviii 



fourth Annual Beport of the 



Olficers to result of the inspection to the Board ; setting forth, as far as 

 cX^to Board Possible, the number of boats whose owners were acting up to the 

 ^' ' regulations, and of those who were neglecting them ; and thereafter 



to make similar Keporta periodically to the Board. They were 

 further directed to keep the Board informed as to what proceed- 

 ings they might deem it necessary to take, so as effectively 

 to carry out this new and important work. The Board have 

 every reason to be satisfied with the manner in which their 

 officers are giving effect to these instructions, and they trust that 

 the regulations as to the numbering and lettering of boats, will in 

 future be much better observed than has hitherto been the case. 

 Boats detained The number of boats detained in 1885 for contravention of the 

 ill 1885. regulations in regard to lettering and numbering, was 343, being an 



increase of 68 on the preceding year. 

 Registration of The work in Connection with the registration (for police pur- 

 Boats, poses) of fishing boats, forms also a part of the duty of the Board's 

 officers. The number of applications made to them for certificates 

 of registration during the year 1885 amounted to 752; the number 

 of applications transmitted to Collectors of Customs, and of certifi- 

 Certificates cates issued was 749; and the number examined and endorsed 5605, 

 examfned^and showing a decrease from last year of 148 in the number of applica- 

 endorsed. tious to register, of 150 in the number of certificates issued, but an 

 increase of 172 in the number of certificates examined and endorsed. 

 Prosecution for The Sea Fisheries (Scotland) Amendment Act, 1885, makes 

 mittedat Sea Certain important changes upon the law for the prosecution of 

 anda8 t6 ' offenccs Committed by any person against the provisions of the Sea 

 compe^ns^ation J'isheries Acts, and also as to the mode to be adopted for obtain- 

 for Damage, ing compensation for damage caused by such offences. The 7th 

 section of the Act provides that, where an offence has been com- 

 mitted by any person belonging to a British sea-fishing boat in 

 Scotland, or in any part of the sea adjoining Scotland, against the 

 Sea Fisheries Acts, whereby any injury is done by one sea-fishing 

 boat to another, or the nets, lines, or gear thereof, or its apparatus 

 Officers to used in fishing, it shall be lawful for any sea fishery officer of the 

 j-e '^OTrto^^^ Board, to whom complaint is made by the party injured, to inquire 

 Sa?d. ° into the complaint, and, after affording the person charged with 

 the offence an opportunity of being heard, to make a report to the 

 Board, setting forth the facts of the case, and the amount of the 

 damage done. 



Fishermen The Board would therefore strongly recommend any fisherman 

 Sama^eSiouid ^^^^^e boat, nets, lines, or fishing gear are damaged by any trawler 

 make com- or other fishing boat immediately to make his complaint known to the 

 Officers^ fishery officer of the district, or to any of the commanders of 

 the superintending cruisers, who will, in terms of the Act of 

 Parliament, inquire into the circumstances of the complaint, and 

 issue a report setting forth the particulars thereof, and stating the 

 amount of damage done, and who is in fault. In the event of both 

 parties being satisfied with the report, the matter may be settled in 

 terms thereof ; but if an arrangement is not made, then the injured 

 party may take the case into Court and have the question tried and 

 decided by the Sheriff, the statutory report being part ofthe evidence. 



The Board, with the view of assisting their officers to carry out 

 the duty thus imposed upon them, prepared and is^^ued blank forms 



