100
PRESENT CONDITION or FISHING GROUNDS.
‘reefs.’
Yet it cannot be said in either case that the shes
have been extirpated, but they probably have become more
_
wary as well as diminished in numbers, and, moreover, they
may
have changed their ground, for shes are constantly
roaming. It has to be remembered that the food-shes are not
alt0gether conned to the shallower water, in which they are
usually followed, but they likewise extend into the deeper
water beyond.
Such deeper water and unfrequented regions,
therefore, form reserves, in which the species is reproduced, the
eggs, young, or adults passing into those areas in which the
food—shes have been more or less thinned.
lThe area last mentioned, viz., that off the Forth, is perhaps
one of the most important in Scotland in regard to the number
and variety of its shing—grounds. For the present purpose
the
area may be dened as that bounded by a line drawn eastward
from Arhroath on the north, and a similar line from St Abb’s
Head on the south.
Between these points the Tay and the
Forth pour considerable bodies of fresh water into the sea,
while the Eden debouches into St Andrews Bay between them.
'
The amount of microscopic food—both plant and animal—as
well as of the smaller invertebrates which are carried to sea in
this area, is very considerable, and, in all probability, is closely
related with the richness of invertebrate life both in the waters
and on the bottom.
The enormous numbers of pelagic mussels
swept from the Tay and the Eden alone form a remarkable
feature.
It is not surprising, therefore, that the shing—grounds
in this region still Continue fairly prolic, notwithstanding the
increased demands on their resources.
In the same way the
Moray Firth is another rich shing—area on the east coast,
though the rivers entering it are smaller.
The steam—liners and trawlers frequent the more distant
grounds—not because the shes are absent from the nearer
grounds, but because their ‘catches,’ _as a rule, far exceed in
bulk those obtained on the latter. While, therefore, the present
statistics show no serious diminution, it may be truly said that
the total is kept up only by the supplies from Iceland, Farôe,
.
and the Great Fisher Bank.
But the nearer grdunds would
have produced a considerable supply if they had been persever—
PRESENT CONDITION or FISHING GROUNDS.
‘reefs.’
Yet it cannot be said in either case that the shes
have been extirpated, but they probably have become more
_
wary as well as diminished in numbers, and, moreover, they
may
have changed their ground, for shes are constantly
roaming. It has to be remembered that the food-shes are not
alt0gether conned to the shallower water, in which they are
usually followed, but they likewise extend into the deeper
water beyond.
Such deeper water and unfrequented regions,
therefore, form reserves, in which the species is reproduced, the
eggs, young, or adults passing into those areas in which the
food—shes have been more or less thinned.
lThe area last mentioned, viz., that off the Forth, is perhaps
one of the most important in Scotland in regard to the number
and variety of its shing—grounds. For the present purpose
the
area may be dened as that bounded by a line drawn eastward
from Arhroath on the north, and a similar line from St Abb’s
Head on the south.
Between these points the Tay and the
Forth pour considerable bodies of fresh water into the sea,
while the Eden debouches into St Andrews Bay between them.
'
The amount of microscopic food—both plant and animal—as
well as of the smaller invertebrates which are carried to sea in
this area, is very considerable, and, in all probability, is closely
related with the richness of invertebrate life both in the waters
and on the bottom.
The enormous numbers of pelagic mussels
swept from the Tay and the Eden alone form a remarkable
feature.
It is not surprising, therefore, that the shing—grounds
in this region still Continue fairly prolic, notwithstanding the
increased demands on their resources.
In the same way the
Moray Firth is another rich shing—area on the east coast,
though the rivers entering it are smaller.
The steam—liners and trawlers frequent the more distant
grounds—not because the shes are absent from the nearer
grounds, but because their ‘catches,’ _as a rule, far exceed in
bulk those obtained on the latter. While, therefore, the present
statistics show no serious diminution, it may be truly said that
the total is kept up only by the supplies from Iceland, Farôe,
.
and the Great Fisher Bank.
But the nearer grdunds would
have produced a considerable supply if they had been persever—