of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



17 



periodical visits of inspection to each harbour, for the examination 

 of the books and works, and to assist and encourage in a sympathetic 

 way the Local Authorities to sustained efi'ort. 



Under such a system the independent spirit of the fisherman and 

 his interest in the fisheries would be fostered and encouraged. 



(/) Summary of Recommendations. — The following suggestions are 

 submitted as a basis for discussion in so far as fishery harbours wholly 

 or largely constructed by means of Government grants are concerned. 



(a) Administration by central authority (preferably the Fishery 



Departments). 



(b) Model form of Provisional Order and Accounts. 



(c) Simplification and cheapening of procedure in obtaining Pro- 



visional Order. 



(d) Proper recovery of dues. 



(e) Proper recovery of damages. 

 (/) Annual audit. 



(g) Engineering supervision embracing — 



(i) periodical inspection of the fabric, 



(ii) examination of the accounts, and 



(iii) measures for securing proper maintenance. 



(h) Increased annual grant from Government to central authority. 



(i) Security of tenure of harbour officials. 



(viii) Provision of Patent Slips. 



It is feared that the accommodation already in existence for the 

 overhaul of fishing vessels will be quite inadequate to deal with th > 

 large number which will have to be overhauled at the conclusion of 

 peace, and it is therefore suggested that it may be necessary to make 

 provision for the construction of a number of patent slips along the 

 coast for this purpose. These would be of permanent value, as there 

 is in normal times a large demand for the use of such slips. 



An inquiry has been set on foot by the Board to elicit the 

 probable requirements of the industry in this respect. 



(ix) Protection of Fisheries at Sea. 



(a) Historical. — The protection of the fisheries in Scotland is carried 

 out by the Fishery Board for Scotland — the Department responsible 

 for the administration of the fishing industry and for the enforcement 

 of the various statutes and regulations governing the fisheries. In 

 England and Wales, on the other hand, fishery protection is largely 

 undertaken by local district fishery committees by means of the local 

 rates — each committee acting quite independently of the others and 

 being subject only to the general supervision and approval of the 

 Board of Agriculture and Fisheries. 



The predecessors of the Scottish Board — the Commissioners of 

 British White Herring Fishery, constituted in 1809 under the Act 48 

 Geo. III. cap. 110 — were responsible for the administration of the 

 whole of the British fisheries until 1860, the fishing fleet during that 

 period consisting almost entirely of herring and cod boats propelled 

 by sails or oars ; and, apart from the action taken by the naval authori- 



