196 



Appendices to Thirty-second Annual Report 



very small and inferior fish were landed. The total catch of trawled 

 herrings was 3300 crans, against 1577 in 1912. Prices ruled at from 10s. to 

 63s. per cran, according to size and selection, and the fish were mostly 

 kippered and tinned. Some herrings of very fine quality were landed by 

 the ordinary trawl net, which shows that with a larger mesh fewer immature 

 fish would be caught (not only of herrings, but of haddocks, whitings, and 

 flat-fish) and thrown overboard, than is the case after each haul by the 

 special small-meshed herring trawl-net. 



There was a remarkable increase in the catch of trawl fish landed from 

 Faroe, amounting to 31,079 cwts., valued at £20,871. Fish were more 

 plentiful than they have been for some years past, especially in July, when 

 the catch was almost phenomenal, the supply being more than trebled and 

 the value quadrupled, as compared with the preceding July. The catch 

 consisted chiefly of large haddocks, but Faroe fish are of a rich, soft quality, 

 and not nearly so valuable for market purpose as North Sea haddocks, 

 being difficult to cure smoked. 



The Iceland fishing was carried on all the year round by German 

 trawlers, and with remarkable success. These vessels appear to make 

 that fishing pay when the local vessels have to give it up. The advent of 

 March, as usual, saw the commencement of the fishing by the local trawlers, 

 which they continued for about four months. Good catches were invari- 

 ably secured in spring, when the season was at its height. Giving to the 

 high prices ruling, the season proved very prosperous. Codfish on an 

 average realised 4s. per score more than in the previous year. The total 

 catch exceeded that of 1912 by 95,315 cwts. in quantity, and £44,184 in 

 value. 



In August catches began to be landed from the White Sea by German 

 trawlers. The fish landed consisted almost entirely of jumbo haddocks 

 and codlings, and their poorness of quality was very striking, especially in 

 the case of the haddocks, which were very thin, probably from the want 

 of sufficient food. The total catch from that locality amounted to 24,058 

 cwts., valued at £8672, against 2290 c\\^s. and £1003 in 1912. It is note- 

 worthy that the catch landed by all foreign vessels exceeds that of 1912 

 by 96,331 cwts. in quantity, and £55,033 in value. 



The steam-line fishing was only moderately successful, stormy weather 

 and the difficulty experienced in getting supplies of herring bait militating 

 greatly against regular fishing. Sixteen trawlers were fitted out for lining 

 in addition to the usual fleet. A feature of the year was the improved 

 catch of ling, caught principally at Rockall and Faroe, while cod and halibut 

 were not so plentiful on most areas frequented. Trawler liners made only 

 fair earnings, and although the regular liners grossed from £4000 to £4800 

 for their year's work, expenses generally were higher than formerly, and 

 .even herring bait proved a heavy item, amounting to over £400 in most 

 cases. The redeeming feature was the high prices received. The record 

 shot realised £582, and was caught at Blackrock on the West Coast of Ire- 

 land. Grimsby, Kirkcaldy, and Peterhead liners landed many catches 

 during the season. The total catch shows a decrease of 11,026 cwts. in 

 quantity, but an increase in value of £2333, when contrasted with the 

 figures for 1912. All the motor and sail great-line fish was landed by 

 strangers. The catch by small lines was of very little account. 



The herring fishing made an early start in May, and was fairly prosper- 

 ous for some time, but towards the end of June the catch fell ofi consider- 

 ably. In July, however, the landings again improved, the fleet having 

 been greatly augmented by English drifters from Lerwick, and by Peter- 

 head boats. The season's catch was 12,698 crans in excess of 1912. The 

 quality was very good, and the early herrings were above the average in 

 this respect. There was a keen demand for curing and tinning, and prices 



