of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



195 



Aberdeen District. 



The progress of the fisheries in this district during the year 1913 sur- 

 passed that of all its predecessors in respect of the quantity and value of 

 fish landed. The total catch, including herring, white-fish, and the landings 

 of foreign vessels, amounted to 2,685,685 cwts., valued at £1,487,828, an 

 increase of 211,215 cwts. in quantity, and £237,892 in value, when compared 

 wdth the catch in 1912, which was the previous record year. 



In connection with the means of capture many changes have to be 

 recorded, particularly in the case of trawlers. Most of the smaller class 

 of these vessels have been sold to foreign and other ports, and have been 

 replaced by new vessels of a larger and more expensive type fitted up with 

 more modern appliances for facilitating fishing operations, and better able 

 to go farther afield in search of fish. Notwithstanding the decrease in the 

 number of sailing craft, there is an increase in the value of boats and 

 fishing gear to the extent of £52,624. A second-hand yawl of 38 feet of keel 

 was fitted with a " Kelvin " motor in September for the herring fishing on 

 the West Coast, and is the first of the kind belonging to the district. The 

 " North Line Steam Trawling Company " have sold all their vessels, and 

 the company has been wound up. It was the oldest trawling company in 

 Aberdeen. 



In reviewing the development of the trawling industry during the year, 

 the total landings, excluding those of foreign vessels, show an increase in 

 the catch of 88,016 cwts., and in value of £128,305, compared with 1912. 

 This substantial increase does not signify more than ordinary success on the 

 part of local vessels, as the catch was considerably augmented throughout 

 the year by the numerous landings made by stranger vessels, and the 

 catching power also increased. The most outstanding features of the year 

 were the exceptionally high prices realised for fish, and the extraordinary 

 shortage in the catch of haddocks, whichamounts to 143,100 cwts., although 

 the value is only £8263 less. It is very difficult to give any authentic 

 reason for the remarkable scarcity of haddocks. On the other hand, 

 whitings were very abundant, showing an increase of 25,756 cwts. on the 

 previous year's catch. There is an old saying among fishermen that when 

 whitings are plentiful, haddocks are scarce, and whitings were called the 

 " poverty " fish. It is noteworthy that fewer small plaice were landed 

 during the year than has been the case for several years past. During the 

 year the north-western grounds became less productive, and the North 

 Sea grounds and those between Orkney and Shetland were more extensively 

 fished. The Fladden ground was much frequented in summer, and heavy 

 catches of saithe were landed from that area. The Norwegian coast was 

 also fished more than formerly, but catches fell away considerably after a 

 time, and voyages stopped as non -paying. 



The most successful vessels grossed slightly over £7000 for the year, 

 but the net earnings of vessels generally were only fair, owing to the 

 increased working expenses. The average catch per arrival was 156-6 cwts., 

 and average price 12s. 3jd. per cwt., against 142-7 cwts., and lis. 4Jd. per 

 cwt. in 1912. A new record catch for one day's landings was established 

 on 9th April, viz. 1054 tons, as against the previous record of 932 tons. 

 Twenty trawlers were fitted out for herring trawling in September, and 

 after two or three unsuccessful voyages discontinued operations. About 

 a dozen vessels prosecuted the fishing till the end of November. The 

 most successful vessel grossed over £800, while the average was £550. 

 Most of the catches were landed at Altona, and one vessel that fished there 

 all the season returned home in debt, having been rather unfortunate. 

 The quality of the herring was generally good, although several shots of 



