— 121 — APPENDIX J: SCOTLAND 



The averages calculated from the statistics as they now stand, are consequently indef- 

 inite both as regards the earnings of the boats and the take of the nets. ' Supplementary 

 information on these points is given in the 190o Report with regard especially to the 

 steam-drifters. The gross earnings of a number of these boats amounted to over f 2000, 

 but these cannot be taken as even indicating what the earnings of the sailing vessels 

 might be. 



Similar difficulties are met with, in estimating the earnings of the liners. Many of 

 the liners take to the herring fishing during a great part of the year, consequently the 

 length of lines given in Table LXXVIIl was probably not once in operation throughout the year, 

 and even though the total number of boats engaged in line-fishing is given in a special 

 table of the Reports, it is certain that many, if not most of them, have been at line-fishing 

 only a small part of the year. For example, if we calculate the average catch for the 

 east coast per mile of line, we find that it was 20 cwts (£ 11) in 1903, 18 cwts (£ 10) 

 in 1902, 18 cwts (£ 10) in 1901 and so on, not once exceeding 40 cwts. (f 14) since 

 1893, when separate statistics are first available. These averages are obviously of little value. 



In the 1903 Report, it is stated, that the gross earnings of the steamers engaged 

 exclusively in line-fishing varied between f 2000 and £ 3300. 



To gain an approximate notion of the earnings of these Scottish boats, it is necessary to 

 combine the liners and drifters and estimate the earnings in terms of some factor common 

 to both. Since the number of men, the number and tonnage of the boats, and amount of 

 gear are excluded, we have left only the capital, and an estimate is therefore given of the 

 average gross earnings per £ 100 of capital. It is probable, that this would be the simplest 

 and most accurate method of comparing the catches of boats of different kinds and different 

 countries. It is of interest,. for example, to notice, that the line and drift-net fishing is 

 much more successful than that of trawling. 



In estimating the gross earnings for all boats and fisheries, the value of the shell-fish 

 taken on the east coast is also included. As the quantities of various kinds of shell-fish 

 are given in numbers, however, and it is difficult to convert these into weights, the shell- 

 fish have been omitted in estimating the number of hundredweights per £ 100 of capital. 



' In addition to the causes of error stated, the east coast drifters and liners also land a portion 

 of their fish on the west coast of Scotland. For the drifters, the quantities are probably of no importance, 

 not so for the liners however. 



Appeadix J \^y 



