CAPTURES BY LINERS AND TRAWLERS, 1896. 89 



523 men, their places having been taken by two steam liners 

 and 25 men. The statistics show that the supply of fishes for 

 the market has notably increased in this department, notwith- 

 standing the steady decline in the numbers of those working 

 sailing boats, the men whom we for generations have associated 

 with this perilous industry, and who are noted for their hardi- 

 hood and daring. This change has been largely brought about 

 by the introduction of steam, both in line-fishing and in trawling. 



No steam-trawling vessels were added during the year, a 

 feature of interest in connection with substantial increase in 

 the captures. The tonnage, however, had an increment of 53 

 and the value had risen by £13,480. Only 5 additional men 

 were engaged in this department. There were, however, 3 

 deducted from the list of other than Scottish vessels (38) fishing 

 off the east coast of Scotland. 



In 1896, the liners procured 1,449,259 cwts. of round fishes 

 = £508,928, an increase of 106,248 cwts., and no less than 

 £26,108 on the previous year. Thus year by year the steady 

 increase in this important industry continues. Last year the 

 haddock had the credit of raising the total in a noteworthy 

 manner. This year the cod is in that position, by an increase 

 of 90,416 cwts. and £19,751 over 1895, and the green cod 

 (saithe) by about half the amount in weight. The quantity of 

 haddocks still more than maintained its position, for there was 

 an increase of 7,137 cwts. and £10,946, a satisfactory result for 

 two years in succession. The increase in the green cod (saithe) 

 was 46,398 cwts., but only £2,953, a fact due to the moderate 

 price always attached to this fish. Conger had increased by 

 4,463 cwts., but the value was £221 below that of 1895. On 

 the other hand, ling had receded by 37,973 cwts. and £7,742 

 and whiting by 1,081, with an increase in price of £446. That 

 for two years the ling fishery had so markedly declined was 

 probably due to a change in the methods of the fisherman, or 

 an absence of the previous energy. 



The trawlers likewise showed an increased quantity and 

 value of round fishes over 1895, viz. 444,250 cwts. and £178,604. 

 The actual increase was 10,121 cwts. and £4,224. While cod, 

 as in the case of the liners, showed a decided augmentation of 



