22 
Appendices to Eighth Annual Report 
RIVER NESS. 
In the answers from the Ness Board it is stated that for the last ten 
years the average take of fish has been pretty equal. As to the number 
of fish caught, the reply is : — 1 We have no means of getting at this.' The 
largest salmon taken by net and coble in 1889 weighed 40 lbs., and the 
largest by rod was 36 lbs. The Bye-laws are said to be strictly observed, 
and if there is any breach it is punished. The present opening of the 
rod fishing is 11th February, but it is mentioned that 'Certain members 
1 of the Board would prefer it to open on 18Ui January and close on 30th 
' September.' As to protection, ' the system is considered efficient. There 
4 is 1 superintendent, 3 permanent river watchers, and, in close time, 
1 2 and sometimes 3 extra. They are employed by and subject to the 
' Board. No constabulary are employed.' 
Regarding fixed engines, the Board writes as follows : — 1 There are 
' frequent complaints of the use of fixed engines, but it has been difficult 
1 to procure evidence. One case was, however, established, interdict was 
1 obtained, and the party found liable in expenses. The Board regret the 
' absence of machinery, in the Salmon Acts, enabling them to deal with 
' fishing by fixed engines.' 
The pass on the waterfall at the mouth of the river Moriston — by far 
the most important work of the kind in Scotland — is said to work well ; 
but an obstruction is mentioned ' situated on the river Doe, falling into 
1 the Moriston below Ceanacrock Lodge. Blasting is all that is required. 
' There is excellent spawning ground above it.' It is stated 'that there 
1 has been practically no salmon disease on the Ness.' Regarding pollu- 
tion, it is mentioned that 1 there has been a long-standing complaint 
' that the river Ness has been polluted by sewage. Several years ago the 
1 Board of Supervision intervened, but no action was taken. The town 
1 has adopted a new system of drainage, and the ground of complaint, 
1 although not entirely, is considerably abated.' 
There are two Hatcheries in the Ness District — both of which are 
private property. One at Invermoriston, at a place called Blairy, which 
is capable of hatching out 180,000 fish annually. The other is at Glen- 
quoich, and has a hatching capacity of about 100,000. 
The Superintendent of the Ness District Board considers that the 1 Wild 
1 Birds Protection Act' should be repealed. In this I entirely agree 
with him, both for the sake of salmon and herrings. In our Report 
of 1878, on the Herring Fisheries of Scotland, after a careful consideration 
of the evidence laid before us on the subject, Mr Buckland, Mr Walpole, 
and myself were unanimous in recommending that 1 The Sea Birds 
' Preservation Act, protecting gannets and other predacious birds which 
c cause a great annual destruction of herrings, should be repealed so far 
' as it applies to Scotland.' 
ABERDEENSHIRE DEE, 
It is stated that there was a great falling off in the take of fish during . 
1889, 1 owing to the general scarcity of salmon in the pools over the early 
' months of the season. Salmon came later in the spawning season in 
' abundance.' There are 9 water-bailiffs. There are no obstructive 
dams on the Dee — fish-passes affording free ascent at all times. It is 
suggested that a stringent measure should be passed to keep the pools 
clear of dead and diseased fish. 
