of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



173 



which was highly remunerative. Exclusive of Lerwick, the three centres 

 of fishing in the Island are Whalsey, Sandwich, and Burra Isle, and the 

 earnings of the fleets at these stations amounted to an aveiage of about 

 £500 per boat, the highest being close on £1300 — remarkable earnim^s for 

 a sail-boat. Curers and fishermen who operated from Baltasound had 

 every reason to be satisfied, sail-boats having grossed up to £400 for the 

 short period the fishing lasted. 



In the landings of herrings in Orkney district there is a shortage of 

 222,723 cwts. in quantity, and £35,912 in value as compared with the pre- 

 vious year. Although fishing operations are carried on at several of the 

 islands in the district, Stronsay continues to be the chief centre of the 

 industry. Somewhat better results were obtained at Stromness than has 

 been the case for several years back, and it is anticipated that an effort 

 will be made to reopen the station next season. 



To the curers the season was a very perplexing one, particularly to those 

 who laid in enormous stocks of barrels and salt, a large proportion of which 

 at the close of the fishing had to be removed at considerable expense to 

 Northumberland and other fishing districts. To the majority of the 

 fishermen working from the Island, however, the season's fishing was most 

 remunerative. A number of the steamers grossed from £1400 to £1800, 

 while the average was about £1200. Sail-boats also participated in the 

 success. * 



During the period the fishing was in progress at Lerwick, the boats 

 operating from the ports on the East Coast (except at Peterhead) were 

 landing meagre catches, and prices consequently rose steadily until famine 

 figures were reached. Towards the middle of July better catches were 

 obtained, which had the effect of making the season for the fishermen one 

 of the most successful on record. Owing to the high prices obtained for 

 the green fish the season may well be described as a " fisherman's year." 

 Not only did the steam drifters make big earnings, but the sail and motor 

 boats also benefited proportionately. Another section of the trade which 

 benefited in consequence of the high prices and big earnings was the fish 

 salesmen, who were paid on commission. 



From the curers' point of view the season was anything but a satis- 

 factory one. So keen was the competition from the commencement of the 

 fishing that on several occasions the prices paid were such as the cured 

 market did not warrant. Fortunately there was a good demand and ready 

 sales were effected, although not at a figure which left any margin of profit. 

 However, many of the curers were able subsequently to recoup their losses 

 owing to the successful fishing in East Anglia, where new records were 

 created, and where it is reported curers made fabulous sums. In spite of 

 the enormous fishings which were landed almost daily the price of cured 

 herrings never receded to an unprofitable figure. 



The quahty of the herrings, particularly those caught from the middle 

 of J uly onwards, was above the average. The proportion of well- developed 

 fish was larger than for several seasons back, and even those caught dming 

 the earher period of the season showed considerable improvement on recent 

 years. 



Curing was carried on under favourable weather conditions, which, 

 along with the protection now given to the early cure, went a long way to 

 enhance the reputation of the goods on the Continental markets. 



The total catch of herrings on the Berwick and Northumberland coasts 

 was 227,872 crans, against 30,392 in 1912, which were the highest landings 

 since 1910. The average price was 28s. 4d. per cran, being 3s. 5d. in advance 

 of the price of 1912. The fishing was invariably prosecuted on grounds 

 50 to 70 miles offshore. At this distance the sail-boats could only reckon 

 on 3 shots per week, while the steamers and motor boats made almost daily 



