Eighth Annual Report of the 
Services of 
'Vigilant.' 
Services of 
' Daisy.' 
Services of 
'Firm.' 
Services of 
'Eagle.' 
Arrangements 
for super- 
intending 
fisheries and 
protecting 
closed waters 
against 
trawlers most 
unsatisfactory. 
The 'Vigilant' cruiser was employed from January to May ia 
the superintendence of the fisheries in the Clyde estuary, and at 
Ballantrae, on the Ayrshire coast, where, besides the usual fleet of 
herring boats, there were 18 Scottish steam beam trawlers, 13 
Scottish and from 8 to 20 English sailing trawlers engaged in 
fishing. She then proceeded to the Hebrides, and, until the arrival 
of the 'Jackal,' had charge of the Coast and Islands between the 
Butt of Lewis and Barra Head. While there the commander was 
successful in assisting several boats in distress, and in settling 
many cases of collision and damage to nets. The 'Vigilant' then 
proceeded to the East Coast for the great summer herring fishery, 
making her head-quarters Aberdeen, and extending her superin- 
tendence over the coast to Berwick-upon-Tweed on the south. 
At the close of this fishing she returned to the West Coast, and 
resumed her superintendence there. Besides her duty in fishery 
superintendence, the 'Vigilant' was also engaged, as in previous 
years, in taking a series of continuous physical observations in 
connection with the scientific work of the Board. During the 
year 1210 boat registers were examined by the commander ; 189 
boats were detained for non-observance of the Fishery regulations; 
and 134 boats were communicated with, and the law regarding 
carrying proper lights explained and its observance enforced. It 
is gratifying to report that the active and energetic, and at the 
same time judicious, manner in which Mr M' Donald, her com- 
mander, carried out the whole of these duties was highly satis- 
factory. 
H.M. cutter ' Daisy ' was employed during the year in the 
superintendence of the fisheries in Loch Fyne and on the West 
Coast. H.M. gun-boat 'Firm' was employed in the protection 
of the fisheries around the Shetland Islands and the uorthern 
portion of the Orkney Islands; and H.M. cutter' Eagle' was 
employed around the Orkney Islands on similar duty. 
The Board have again to express their regret that the arrange- 
ments for the general superintendence of the fisheries, and more 
especially for protecting the territorial waters closed against beam 
trawling, are so unsatisfactory and inadequate. By the Herring 
Fishery (Scotland) Act, 1889, nearly the whole of the territorial 
waters round the Scottish coasts are closed against this mode of fish- 
ing, and the cruisers under the Board are wholly inadequate to see 
that the law is enforced. Complaints are constantly being received 
that trawlers are fishing within the proscribed waters, and much 
dissatisfaction prevails amongst the fishermen in consequence. 
Except during the great summer herring fishing the Board have 
ooly H.M. gun-boat 'Jackal' at their disposal for service on the 
East Coast, and she is wholly unable to protect such a long 
stretch of coast against the evil complained of. 
Injuries done by Trawlers or other Fishing Boats to the 
Boats or Gear of Fishermen. 
Return of In Appendix E, No. I., will be found a return, by districts, for 
in^tf ated ^ ast y ear > °^ complaints made to officers of the Board, and investi- 
SVportU gated and reported on by them, of injuries done by trawlers or 
on. 
