X 
Report on Salmon Fisheries. 
Account of 
natural 
obstructions in 
Sixth Annual 
Report of 
Inspector. 
Tlie three chief 
causes that 
have prevented 
the opening up 
of obstructions 
in Scotch 
Salmon Rivers. 
Recommenda- 
tions of the 
Connaittee on 
Crown Rights 
in Salmon 
Fisheries in 
Scotland. 
Rental of Tay 
salmon 
fishings. 
In the Sixth Animal Report of the Inspector of Salmon Fisheries 
there will be found a full account of the principal natural obstruc- 
tions on the salmon rivers of Scotland, and the best means of opening 
them up (pages 30 to 58). And the position of these obstructions 
is marked out on a map prefixed to his Third Annual Report by 
blue and red crosses — the blue crosses indicating absolutely im- 
passable obstructions, and the red those which are occasionally 
surmounted by salmon. 
There are three chief causes that have operated to prevent the 
opening up of the obstructions, which at present bar about 500 
miles of rivers and lochs against the ascent of salmon. These are 
(1) the natural unwillingness of the proprietors of such Falls to 
allow them to be interfered with, sometimes because there is a 
productive pool immediately below the Falls which they fear might 
be spoiled, sometimes from considerations of amenity — such pro- 
prietors possessing at present an absolute veto, there being no 
means provided by which arrangements can be made for opening 
up the Falls and compensating the proprietors in the case of their 
refusing their consent ; (2) the claim of the Crown to all the new 
Salmon Fisheries that may be created by the opening up of natural 
obstructions by the riparian owners ; and (3) the claim put forward 
in certain cases by a proprietor below a Fall — founding upon a 
charter granting him the Salmon Fishings throughout a whole 
district of country — to the Salmon Fishings above the Fall in the 
event of its being opened up, though neither the Fall nor the river 
above it are his property. But for the operation of these three 
causes, we believe that many of the natural obstructions in our 
Scotch Salmon Rivers would by this time have been made 
passable. 
In connection with this subject, the Board would beg to advert 
to the reconnnendations by the Committee on Crown Rights in 
Scotch Salmon Fisheries in their Report of May 1890 to the Secre- 
tary for Scotland. In that Report they write as follows : — ' The 
' greater the extent of spawning-ground that can be opened the better 
' for the public interest. We therefore recommend that in all cases 
' where such obstructions exist, riparian owners be encouraged to 
' undertake their removal by receiving a charter of the fishings 
' ex adverso their lands on favourable terms.' And the 12th 
recommendation of the Committee is : — ' On the general question 
* of the removal of natural obstructions, where this will open up 
' unchartered waters, we would approve of power being conferred 
' upon the Fishery Board to require or undertake their removal, 
' and when doing so to prepare a scheme regulating the interests 
' of all concerned.' 
The Rental of the Salmon Fishings in the Tay fluctuates con- 
siderably, and there is a good deal of speculation in connection with 
the annual let of the Fisheries. In 1852 the rental fell as low as 
£7973, 5s., and in 1886 it rose to £22,542, 2s. 8d.— the highest 
value it has reached. The following is a statement of the rental 
for the last 20 years : — 
Year. 
1871, X'16,382 8 4 
1872, 15,162 15 0 
