of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



183 



The success of the fishing in recent years, and the rapid development of 

 Stronsay into an important centre, caused curers to expect an increase 

 in the steam fleet, and a corresponding increase in the catch, whereas 

 there was a marked decrease in both. This, along with a scarcity of fish 

 in the early part of the season, resulted in a shortage of 63,600 crans, 

 as compared with 1912. Of the season's catch 90,846 crans, or 85 per 

 cent., were landed at Stronsay, and the balance at Holm, Burray, Kirkwall, 

 and Sanday. 



From the beginning of the season competition was keen, and prices 

 ruled higher than in any past season on record. The general range was 

 ' from 35s. to 45s. per cran, and the average 40s. lOd. per cran, as against 

 28s, 9d. per cran in 1912. There was also a good demand for the cured 

 article at correspondingly high prices until near the close of the season, 

 when there was a drop of from 2s. to 5s. per barrel in the various selec- 

 tions. Throughout the season curers were selHng on a doubtful margin, and 

 as there was a considerable quantity on hand at the close of the season 

 these must have been sold at a distinct loss. 



In the quantity of white fish accounted for by district fishermen and 

 English trawlers there was a marked decrease. The former were credited 

 with 10,810 cwts. and the latter with 7137 cwts. As in the preceding year, 

 Faroe and Dutch craft brought in considerable quantities of wet salted 

 cod, which were dried at and exported from Kirkwall. In a wet salted 

 state the price was from £18 to £19 per ton, against £15 to £16 in the pre- 

 ceding year. 



In Wick district the summer herring fishing was prosecuted with in- 

 different success. Contrasted with the preceding productive season the 

 shortage was 60,000 crans. In the early part of the year, however, par- 

 ticularly during the month of January, dense shoals of herring were dis- 

 covered off the North Coast of Sutherlandshire, where very few herrings 

 have been caught for many years, the shortage being thereby reduced to 

 49,000 crans. Prices throughout ruled exceptionally high, and the value 

 was practically the same as in 1912. The average price in 1913 was 37s. 

 per cran, against 26s. in 1912. 



As in the other two Northern districts, preparations were made on a 

 larger scale than hitherto, but at no period of the season was there such a 

 large number of vessels employed as in the preceding year. This may be 

 accounted for by the partial failure of the fishing in the early part of the 

 season. For the month of May there was a shortage of 13,770 crans, and 

 at the close of July it amounted to 87,000 crans. The improved catch for 

 August was over 50,000 crans, at an average price of 40s. per cran. To 

 the reduced fleet, which remained to the close of the season, the financial 

 results were much better than in 1912. The earnings of the steam vessels 

 ranged from £1000 to £1900 ; of motor boats, £700'to £1500 ; and of sail 

 craft from £200 to £700. The earnings of shore workers generally com- 

 pare unfavourably with those of recent years. Throughout, the quality 

 was all that could be desired, and the prevailing cool weather enabled the 

 cured article to be placed on the market in good condition. The shortage 

 in the catch, and heavy incidental expenses, together with the high prices 

 paid to fishermen, rendered the season an unprofitable one to curers. 

 In the quantity of the various kinds of white fish landed there was an extra- 

 ordinary decrease, which was due chiefly to the unfavourable weather 

 conditions which prevailed. 



In the early summer months light takes of herring were occasionally 

 got in the inshore grounds of the Moray Firth. These were generally 

 of good quality, and were in demand for local use. In the three districts 

 of Findhorn, Buckie, and Banff, the total landed amounted to 13,835 crans, 

 as compared with 23,043 crans in 1912. The bulk of these was brought 

 in by steam craft returning at the week-end for coal and stores. 



