114 



Part III. — Tirentieth Annual Report 



The fishing was thus poor, and the vessel returned to the north coast, 

 where a number of other hauls were taken. Off Helmsdale, in 27 

 fathoms, where several foreign ti-awlers were working around a " dan," 

 three hauls wei'e made, each of four hom\s' duration. The records are 

 not complete, but the marketable fishes consisted of 2| baskets of plaice, 

 about a dozen cod, and a few codling and haddocks ; the net was torn, 

 and there was a strong wind from W.S.W., with a choppy sea. Going 

 north to ofi" Dunbeath another haul was made, in 33 fathoms, for four 

 hours, the catch consisting of twelve cod, one basket of plaice, one of 

 large codling, and six haddocks. The trawl was again dropped ofi' 

 Lybster in 24 fathoms, and 229 fishes were taken as a result of four 

 hours' fishing, the marketable numbering 100, including 36 plaice, 25 

 common dabs, four cod, nine haddocks, and 19 whitings. The 

 unmarketable consisted chiefly of whitings and common dabs. 



The vessel then went to Smith Bank, and di'agged for an hour and a 

 half, on the east edge, in 24 fathoms. The catch amounted to 57 

 fishes, of which 47 were marketable, comprising seven cod, two haddocks, 

 fifteen whiting, one halibut, fifteen plaice, and seven common dabs. 

 The small-meshed net, which was placed around the cod-end, was lost. 



The vessel then returned to Aberdeen, and as a result of the fishing 

 in the Moray Firth, 64|^ cwts. of fish were landed, which realised £89 

 4s. Id. The quantities, in cwts., are these : — 



The fishing in January was thus mvich less productive than it was in 

 December, although the weather was not so stormy, and more profitable 

 catches were being obtained by the vessels working in the deep sea. 



The Dee])-Sea Grounds. 



One trip was made to the deep-sea grounds by Mr. Dannevig in May, 

 on board the " Star of Peace." The first shot was made on 15th May 

 after the vessel had run (by log) 209 miles north-east from Buchanness, 

 and was then about 60 miles S.E. by E. \ E. of Flugga Light, 

 Shetland. The depth was 75 to 78 fathoms, and the drag lasted for one 

 hour, the small-meshed net being used. The otter trawl contained 167 

 fishes, of which 115 were marketable ; the small-meshed net, which was 

 torn, contained no fish. Another haul for 4 hours 50 minutes in the 

 same place yielded 803 fishes, of which 619 were marketable, the 

 particulars of the two hauls being as follows : — 



[Table. 



