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Appendices to Thirty-second Annual Report 



4:3s. to 45s. ; and small, 33s. to 36s. Higher prices were occasionally 

 obtained, but as usual curers had to contend with some bad sales, and their 

 profits did not amount to very much. Consequent upon the success of the 

 fishing in the early part of the year there was a demand by East Coast 

 curers for accommodation at Stornoway, and in a short time all the 

 available yards — many of which had not been let for a number of years — 

 were occupied. 



In the catch of white fish (some 70,000 cwts., there was a considerable 

 decrease as compared with 1912. Ling, cod, and saith were the most 

 plentiful, and a small portion of these were cured for exportation. 

 Mackerel were in great abundance, and takes ranging from 10 to 70 crans 

 were caught in the herring nets all along the outer islands from Barra 

 Head to the Butt of Lewis, thousands of crans having to be thrown back 

 into the sea owing to the lack of demand for them. About 2000 crans of 

 the best quality were landed, and of these 500 barrels were cured. These 

 heavy takes of mackerel proved so destructive to the fine nets used for 

 herring fishing that several vessels had to discontinue fishing and return 

 to the East Coast to get their nets repaired. 



In Shetland waters the summer herring fishing was commenced early 

 in May and closed in September, For the rest of the year the catch did 

 not exceed 8000 crans. Extensive preparations were made for curing 

 and the requirements of the industry. By the beginning of June a fleet 

 of 612 steam and 200 sail was engaged. From the beginning of the 

 season indif?erent success was met with, and by the middle of June the 

 fishing had become so light and partial that the steam fleet had com- 

 menced to leave for the Aberdeenshire coast. During July the fishing was 

 a comparative failure, and the steam vessels had nearly all left the district. 

 Thereafter there was a decided improvement, which induced a number 

 of steamers to return. These and the district sail fleet fished well to the 

 close of August, when the fishing again got light, and closed abruptly 

 early in September. For the year the total catch was 202,657 crans, 

 at an average price of 32s. 9d. per cran, as compared with 398,215 crans, 

 at an average price of 26s. per cran in 1912. 



When most of the steamers departed, curers realised that they were to 

 be left with an extraordinary quantity of curing stock for which there was 

 a shortage of storage accommodation, and several of the largest establish- 

 ments lost no time in removing their workers to the East Coast and North 

 of England stations ; others reduced the number of workers, but kept 

 their stations open till the close of the season and used up a fair portion of 

 their stock. It is gratifying to record that the success of the fishing in 

 August benefited the industry to a great extent and enabled the Shetland 

 sail fleet to finish up the season with record earnings. A number of the 

 most successful crews grossed from £800 to £1200, the average being about 

 £500. Curers and shore workers generally had, however, an unprofitable 

 season. 



The white fisheries of the district were less productive by about 17,000 

 cwts. than in the preceding year, unfavourable weather conditions during 

 the spring and winter months being chiefly accountable for the shortage. 

 As in the preceding year, great quantities of saith fish were caught during 

 the summer months with hand fines and rippers by men on board the 

 herring fleet. 



Fishcurers and shore workers commenced to arrive in Orkney district 

 in the beginning of May, and in no past season were such extensive pre- 

 parations made for the summer herring fishing. In the number of shore 

 workers there was a marked increase. Curing stations generaUy were 

 improved, and a new one constructed at a cost of £1600. There was also 

 an increase in the number of coal hulks for supplying the steam fleet. 



