HC Deb 18 March 1908 vol 186 cc575-6
MR. WATT () Glasgow, College

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland, if he is aware that the Clyde fishermen, who habitually use the seine trawl net when in the Clyde, are unable to use that type of net when they go elsewhere in Scotland to fish, on account of the damage it does to spawn and spawning herrings; and if he will say why the Clyde fishery district is treated differently from the other fishery districts of Scotland.

THE SECRETARY FOR SCOTLAND (Mr. SINCLAIR,) Forfarshire

I understand my hon. friend's information is not quite accurate; the seine net can be used in the capture of herrings, without any interference, all round the Scottish coasts except on the Ballantrae Banks and the adjacent waters covered by the Fishery Board's byelaw and in Loch Gruinart, Islay, where the employment of the net is also prohibited by a byelaw of the Board.

MR. AINSWOKTH () Argyllshire

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware it is generally considered that the use of the seine net is extremely injurious to herrings during the spawning season?

MR. SINCLAIR

I cannot answer that without notice, but I do not think my information bears out that statement.

MR. WATT

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware 1,200 boxes of herrings were sold the other day at 3s. per box, and is this not a case of killing the goose that lays the golden egg.

MR. R. DUNCAN

asked if the Fishery Board did not give as a reason for inaction that the practical difficulties of enforcing the desired restrictions were too great, although they quite admitted that they were wanted for permanent success.

MR. SINCLAIR

replied that it was not so.