Report on Salmon Fisheries. 



v 



during 1907 was, we regret to report, 104 tons short of the weight 

 given for season 1906. The actual amount is 1645 tons 11 cwt. 

 This total is below the average for the last quinquennial period — 

 1899-1903— by 389 tons. The following table and chart show, in 

 the one case, the actual figures as divided into the four main districts 

 usually adopted, and, in the other, the curves since 1894 repre- 

 senting the four divisions. A slight rise is noticeable in the case 

 of the Berwick to Cairnbulg Point curve and the Glasgow to the 

 Border curve, but these rises are more than overcome by the 

 depressions shown in the case of the other two districts. The chief 

 contributing cause of the shortage in weight was no doubt the 

 most marked absence of grilse in the summer of 1907. Several of 

 the coast fisheries, notably in the Isle of Skye and on the coasts of 

 Sutherland and Caithness, are very largely dependent upon the 

 supply of grilse. Very many nets are only put in the water when 

 the grilse run is first anticipated. When the grilse fail, from 

 whatever cause, a serious loss results. The chart shows at a glance 

 that it is in the districts referred to that the depression occurs. 

 This absence of grilse has also told upon the stock of small spring 

 fish in the present season ; the small spring fish being of the same 

 class as last season's grilse. 



Reports from District Fishery Boards. 



Mr. Calderwood has received reports from 31 District Boards. 

 A report has not been received either from the Findhorn or the 

 Nairn Districts. The reports received, which are given in 

 Appendix I. to the Inspector's Report, bear out generally the low 

 average of almost all net fishings. District Boards being unable, 

 as a rule, to obtain results of net fishings, the statements are, as a 

 rule, based upon the observations of the watching staff. The lack 

 of grilse is constantly remarked. It is noteworthy, however, that 

 in several districts exceptionally heavy salmon were taken. Mr. 

 Calderwood gives a list of these fish in Appendix V., as well as 

 a record of a salmon of 103 lb, from the Forth District, believed 

 to be the heaviest salmon killed in the British Islands, 

 Several Boards are giving much more attention than formerly to 

 the increase of pollution and the means possible for purification. 

 In the Tweed settling tanks are now attached to all Peeblesshire 

 mills, and purification works are connected with mills in Galashiels, 

 Selkirk, and elsewhere. The Tweed Commissioners are not, how- 

 ever, satisfied with the results so far, and are devoting attention to 

 the matter. Not only is there in this district the chemical 

 impurities from several mills and dyehouses, bub the organic 

 impurities from the domestic sewage of almost all the towns and 

 villages on the river and its tributaries. In the Tay, also, special 

 attention has been given to this matter, and the Chairman of the 

 Board, the Hon. Morton Stuart Gray, has prepared two memoranda 

 setting forth, for the information of proprietors of salmon fisheries 

 and others, the various impurities which enter the river. In the 

 Spey, the distillery pollution has been a difficulty for some years. 

 It has been recently studied by the Royal Commission on Sewage 



