_ 117 — APPENDIX J: SCOTLAND 



at present, and it is almost entirely due to these forms that the value of shell fish on the 

 east coast has decreased. 



Regarding the fisheries as a whole, it appears, that the total quantities and values vaiue and 

 have steadily increased during the period considered, except as regards quantities during """/Lh"" 

 1896 — 1900. The decrease noted here is entirely due to the diminution in the average 

 quantities of herring landed during 1896—1900. It is noticeable also, that the increase is 

 entirely due to the expansion of the fisheries on the east coast. 



The decrease in the average quantity during 1896 — 1900 was not accompanied by a 

 decrease in the value, on the contrary, the total value had increased more during that 

 quinquennial period than during the previous one. The average price of fish had therefore 

 increased, and this is shown very clearly in the accompanying table. The average price 

 of practically all species has gone up considerably since 1886, and the increase is specially 

 marked in the case of the more important species, e. g. herring, haddock, cod and the 

 flat-fishes. Since the total quantities have greatly increased, the higher value must be due 

 to greatly increased demand. 



The progress of the fisheries is displayed, not merely by the quantities and values of Boats ana Gear 

 fish landed, but also by the fishing-vessels. The general trend of the fisheries may, indeed, 

 be better illustrated by the character and size of the boats than by the fish landed. This 

 is especially the case with Scotland, where the fisheries have greatly changed during the 

 last 20 years. In agreement with the fact, already stated, that the quantities of fish landed 

 by the trawlers had gradually overtaken and surpassed those landed by the Hners, we find 

 that the number of trawlers has increased greatly whilst the sailing-boats have decreased. 

 The tendency to utilise steam for propulsion is further displayed in the increasing number 

 of steam-liners and steam-drifters. In the Keport for 1903, Appendix P, p. 256, it is 

 shown, that the number of sailing boats engaged in line-fishing has decreased from 5,715 

 in 1898 to 4,884 in 1903, whilst the number of steam-liners has increased from 39 to 91 

 in the same period. 



Many of the steam -liners also engage as drifters in the herring fishery, and it is 

 practically impossible to separate them. The two classes are therefore combined in the 

 accompanying table. 



The number of all sailing-boats has decreased by one third since 1886 — 90, but the 

 tonnage has increased, so that the average is now nearly 12 tons, where formerly it was 

 but little over 8. Most of these sailing-boats are engaged, like the steam -drifters, in the 

 herring fishery. As the value of the boats and gear has also greatly increased, it is 

 evident that the tendency of the Scottish fisheries is towards larger and more expensive 

 boats and equipment, and corresponding to this, the fishing is pursued further to sea and 

 for longer periods. 



It is worthy of remark, that the period 1896 — 1900 seems to have been the turning- 

 point when the tonnage and number of men employed were at their lowest. This corre- 

 sponded with a period of depression in the quantities of herring landed. As the value of 

 fish greatly increased, however, during the same period, the fishermen were enabled to 

 replace the older and smaller boats by newer and larger. 



From the data given in the Scottish statistics, it is possible to obtain an approximate Average Gross 

 average over a number of years, of the amounts earned by the fishing boats. It has to be »"'»k' 

 remembered, that the quantities obtained depend on the weather conditions and the amount 



