of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



175 



and from then onwards the results were highly satisfactory. At the 

 beginning of the season the sail-boats had difficulty in getting to and from 

 the fishing grounds, owing to unsuitable weather, but fortunately for them 

 the shoals by the end of June made their appearance at a reasonable dis- 

 tance from the port, with the result that several heavy individual takes 

 were landed. While the sail-boats were working the inshore grounds the 

 majority of the steamers kept operating on the shoals some 60 to 70 miles 

 off. The season was remarkable for heavy takes on both the offshore and 

 inshore grounds. Shots of from 100 to 180 crans were not uncommon. A 

 feature of the season was the high prices paid for sea- salted fish, in con- 

 sequence of which many boats remained at sea for two nights, salting the 

 first night's catch when it was not considered large enough to proceed 

 with to port. 



At the commencement of the season there were about 350 vessels 

 employed, but as the success which attended their efforts got noised abroad, 

 the fleet increased to about 420, including 40 EngHsh drifters. The fleet 

 for the whole season averaged 400 vessels — 185 steamers, 213 sail-boats, and 

 2 motor boats. All did exceedingly well, the catch being pretty evenly 

 divided. Steam drifters grossed from £1000 to £2100, the average being 

 £1340. The earnings of the sail-boats ranged from £350 to £1000, the 

 average being £540. Taking into account the fact that the cost of running 

 a sail-boat is much less than that of a steamer, the net earnings of the 

 former are httle short of those of the more modern vessel. 



To the curers the season was a very hazardous one on account of the 

 high prices paid for the green fish. Although the early herrings were of 

 somewhat better quality than those landed during the previous two or three 

 years, there was a feehng of uncertainty as to how they would turn out on 

 the market. As the season advanced the quality improved, but prices 

 steadily rose until the high figure of 49s. was reached. During the week 

 ended 9th August, upwards of 25,000 crans were landed, which averaged 

 the high price of 41s. per cran. Immediately thereafter there was a sharp 

 fall in the cured market, which was a matter of serious concern to the holders 

 of large stocks. Towards the end of August, the Norwegian fat herring 

 fishing failed, which to a large extent saved the Scottish trade from disaster. 

 It is, however, gratifying to state that about a dozen new firms contemplate 

 embarking in the industry during the ensuing season of 1914. 



The herring fishing at Fraserburgh commenced about the midde of 

 May and extended over a period of about four months. The landings fell 

 far short of expectations. Up to the close of July the sail-boats, of which 

 there was a fleet of some 200 to 300 craft, were seriously handicapped in 

 getting to and from the fishing grounds, and many of them made poor 

 earnings. It was not until August that a change in the weather enabled 

 them to make up their leeway. Although the landings show a decrease of 

 15,000 crans, as compared with the previous year, the value of the catch 

 was the highest on record, the figures being £330,000, as against £250,000 

 in 1912. 



Features of the season were the high prices paid for fresh herrings and 

 the number of heavy individual catches. In July the catch was only one- 

 half of that of the corresponding month in 1912. With such a shortage 

 competition was keen, and prices rose steadily until the high figure of 51s. 

 per cran was reached. The average price for the whole catch was 35s. 7d. 

 per cran, as compared with 24s. lid. in 1912. The fishing grounds were 

 from 20 to 60 miles N.N.E. of Kinnaird Head, but good suppHes were also 

 brought in from 70 to 80 miles E.S.E. of the port. Throughout the season 

 the size of the shoals struck varied greatly, with the result that an oc- 

 casional vessel would secure a haul of 150 to 200 crans, while others working 

 in the same neighbourhood caught only a few crans. Those who were 



