learn as much as he can about the sea and its animals, and especially 
the life-histories of the fishes, so that he -would be prepared when 
enquiries are instituted to give intelligent reasons for the changes 
he desires. 
Berwick. 
The first meeting was held on Tuesday, 25th September, in the 
Mission Room, The Greens, Berwick. Mr. Barr was chairman. 
There was only an attendance of 16 men. 
After the lecture a discussion took place, or rather a general 
conversation, on the condition of the fisheries at Berwick. The 
haddock fishing is worse than ever this year. The following figures 
I owe once more to Mr. Buglass, the Fishery Officer for the Northern 
part of the district : — 
Cwt. V aluo. 
1898 1,546 £1,804 
1899 1,487 £1,618 
For eight months of 1900 the catch of haddocks is just about 
one-half of that of 1899 — see also last year’s Report p. 80. The 
haddock fishing has suffered an immense reduction during the last 
few years. The fishermen, after this had been pointed out, said 
that trawling took place by a great many boats as near the limit as 
as possible, and some of them believed that a great deal of poaching 
occurred. It was again stated that the fishing is now all done 
in-sliore, the long lines competing with the small lines for a greatly 
reduced supply. Among the fish which were specified as having 
been reduced in numbers was the rock cod, though it used to be 
common ; and the dabs — 18 stones of this fish could be got oft' 
Burnmouth 20 years ago, but the fishing is not worth prosecuting 
now. 
Crabs were less numerous during last year, likewise, at Berwick. 
Number. 
1898 381,149 
1899 191,850 
I took the opportunity" of having a talk with some of the men at 
Spittal. The success of the herring fishing was of course com- 
mented on with much satisfaction, and here as elsewhere the 
condition of the fishermen, as far as herring fishing and crab and 
lobster fishing are concerned, was admitted to be no worse than at 
any time before, but the difficulty is to provide a fishery to replace 
the white fishing of the latter months of the year. A proposal 
which I had considered will be referred to later. A good many 
