352 EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [12] 



now prefer the southern portion of the east coast of Scotland, while 

 formerly the case was reversed. 



The circumstance that seine fisheries can quickly develop into a trade 

 of very considerable importance, while the net fisheries need a much 

 longer time, is explained by the fact that it requires less capital to 

 start seine fisheries, and that these fisheries are particularly productive. 

 We have thus had instances during a winter that the Bohuslan seine 

 fishers, with apparatus valued at from 2,500 to 3,000 crowns [$670 to $804], 

 could, during a comparatively short period, earn from 10,000 to 20,000 

 crowns [$2,680 to $5,360]. It is but natural that the news of such rich 

 profits, which spreads rapidly, should attract people to the fisheries.' 



If one wishes to judge of the prospects of a fishery he must, of course, 

 take into consideration the quantity of fish which may be counted on 

 in proportion to the equipment, apparatus, and labor, and the average 

 price which may be obtained for the fish. If he desires to calculate 

 this average price, regard should be had principally to the wholesale 

 selling of fish. If, as in Scotland and Bohuslan, the fish must be sold 

 in a salted condition, the price should be taken which salt fish bring in 

 the great ports of the Continent, especially in Stettin and Hamburg, 

 taking, of course, into account the expenses under the heads of customs, 

 freight, insurance, &c., and subtracting the sum from the price paid for 

 the fish. A further reduction will be caused by the necessary expenses 

 for salt, barrels, labor, and the profit always allowed to the persons en- 

 gaged in the preparation of the fish. No account should be taken of 

 the exceptional prices paid for small quantities of fresh fish which are 

 imported into the ports of sale at times when the supply is small com- 

 pared with the demand. These exceptional prices are often so high as 

 to exceed by far the prices paid for salt herring. It thus happens, as 

 in Bohuslan, that when the seine fisheries commence in autumn, the de- 

 mand from German smoke-houses is very great, and that as much as 

 from 25 to 30 crowns [$6.70 to $8.04] is paid per barrel of common 

 Bohuslan herring. It is impossible for the Bohuslan salters te pay such 

 prices, and the highest price they can afford is 12 crowns [$3.21] per 

 barrel. As a general rule, it does not pay to engage in regular fisheries 

 of rare and expensive kinds of fish. Near Yarmouth, however, a kind 

 of herring is caught which comes near to the land, and is therefore 

 called " longshore herring " ; of these herring, however, not more than 

 2,000 barrels are caught per annum. That quantity is considered very 

 good, and it is no uncommon occurrence that the fishermen will get as 

 much as 6 pence apiece for fresh herring of this kind. They are 

 smoked lightly, and are then generally sent to London by express train, 

 where as much as 1 shilling apiece is paid for them. We would, of 

 course, arrive at erroneous results if we were to calculate the entire 

 yield of the great Yairmouth herring-fisheries according to the prices 

 which are paid by the piece for such a rare delicacy. We should also 

 take into consideration the time during which the apparatus can be 



