194 



Appendices to Thirty-second Annual Report 



feature of the year was the high prices received, the average being 25s. 

 per cran, as against 20s. 4d. in 1912. Quahty was very good, and nearly 

 all the catch was kippered and freshed. 



The various branches of line fishing are year by year receiving less 

 attention. Only 8 boats were fitted out for the great-Hne fishing in spring. 

 With the exception of occasional shots landed at week-ends, the great- 

 line catch was as usual landed and sold at Aberdeen. The season was, 

 however, by no means a prosperous one. Earnings were generally poor, 

 ranging from £60 to £150, and averaging about £100 for ten weeks' fishing. 



The most important line fishing was that by small Hues, which was 

 carried on all the year round, but principally during the summer months, 

 when it was conducted by old men and boys, the younger men being at 

 herring fishing. Small-line fishermen found fish remarkably scarce 

 throughout the whole year, results being especially disappointing in spring 

 and early summer, when catches as low as 8 or 10 haddocks or whitings 

 were taken from 5 miles of lines hauled. For several weeks fishermen did 

 not earn the price of bait used, not to mention wages. Every kind of 

 small-line fish shows a marked decrease when compared with the former 

 year's figures — haddocks, a decrease of 2445 cwts. ; codlings, 2694 cwts. ; 

 and whitings, 337 cwts. At Stonehaven the motor line boat made only 

 a bare wage, and had it not been for the high prices ruling it is doubtful 

 if the crew would have continued fishing. The principal grounds fre- 

 quented for small-fine fishing were from 4 to 7 miles ofi Tod Head. 



The shell- fisheries of the district were fairly successful, notwithstanding 

 that at Catterline and Shieldhill the crab fishing was to a great extent 

 spoiled by the ravages of conger upon the baited creels. Fishermen resorted 

 to taldng the eels with great lines, but such fishing proved unremunerative, 

 while at the same time it made little impression on their numbers. How- 

 ever, after a time they left the crab grounds of their own accord. It is 

 noteworthy that lobsters were more plentiful in the month of December 

 than ever was known before, and crabs during that period had disappeared. 

 All the shell-fish is consigned to English markets. The average return 

 per hundred for lobsters was £6, and for crabs £1. 



Most of the fish landed in the district was either sent fresh to Glasgow, 

 or sold by hawkers throughout the surrounding countryside. 



Practically no codling or saithe were cured dried, while only 36 barrels 

 of herrings were cured gutted. Consequently the branding done was 

 insignificant. 



The sail boats that went to fish at Scarborough were not successful, 

 and four of them returned home in October, while the others proceeded to 

 Grimsby, where better results attended their efforts. Their earnings 

 ranged from £60 to £400, averaging £200. The loss of netting sus- 

 tained was insignificant. 



The net factory at Stonehaven has been further extended, and the 

 number of workers increased accordingly. A very busy year was experi- 

 enced, and heavy orders have been booked for 1914. 



It is gratif3n[ng to s'tate that in this district the year 1913 has been free 

 from any serious casualties or loss of fife. The loss of fishing gear was also 

 below the average. 



There were no technical classes for fishermen held at any of the 

 stations. 



The barometers in the district are in good order, and their value is 

 highly appreciated by the fishermen. 



James Donaldson, 



Fishery Officer. 



Fishery Office, 

 Aberdeen, lUh January 1914. 



