42 THE SCOTCH EAST COAST HERRING FISHING. 



A perusal of the foregoing statistics will prove that 

 although yearly fluctuations have taken place, yet that 

 every periodical decade proves that the prosperity as 

 regards the catch is steadily on the increase. The quality 

 and selection have also much improved, thanks to wise 

 regulations and our national characteristic intrepidity. 

 The prices also are year by year becoming more firm, 

 are less speculative, fluctuate less than in former years, 

 and are now entirely regulated according to supply and 

 demand. The supply, apparently always increasing, is at 

 the present moment very great, but it is pleasing to state 

 that the demand is proportionally quite as great and strong. 



In recapitulation, the following calculations are here 

 given to show the reader some idea as to the wealth of the 

 herring trade. 



CAPITAL. 







Fishermen's boats, all necessary gear included 



6131 boats at ^275 per boat 1,686,025 



6131 boats' " fleets " of nets at Jos. per net, allowing 



25 nets to each boat 536,432 



Fish-curer's invested capital, lowest estimate . . . 720,000 



Total . . ,2,942,457 



ONE YEAR'S BUSINESS (1882). . 



s - 

 Bounties paid to fishermen 



6131 boats at ^40 per boat 245,240 o 



Prices paid to fishermen for herrings 



743,269 crans at average of 1 8 s. per cran . . 668,942 2 



1 67 new boats, with all necessary gear, at $ 1 o per boat 5 1 , 770 o 



1 67 new " fleets " of nets 30 per boat, at 70^. per net . I 7>535 o 



For new nets distributed amongst the fleet . . . 15,000 o 

 Lowest estimate for repairs on the fleet (paid to boat- 

 builders, rope and sail makers, block and tackle 



manufacturers, Cutch dealers, &c.) . . . 12,500 o 



Total paid " to " and " by " fishermen .. 1 ,010,987 2 



