of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



197 



ruled extremely high for " green " fish, averaging 35s. 5d. per cran, 

 against 24s. lid. for the preceding year. The most successful drifter made 

 £1970, and lowest £400, the average being about £650. Sailing boats 

 averaged about £170. 



A fair proportion of the white-fish catch was freshed, as usual, and the 

 chief markets were London, Liverpool, Glasgov/, and the inland counties of 

 England. Only one small cargo of fresh herrings was " Klondyked " during 

 the year, owing to the high prices prevailing. 



The cod, ling, &c., curing industry continues to develop, and several 

 premises have been enlarged for increased business. The artificial process 

 of drying is invariably used to finish off the cure before exporting. The 

 quantity of fish cured dried shows an increase of 120,734 cwts., as compared 

 with the cure in 1912. The number of barrels of herrings cured gutted 

 was also greater, and branding was more in demand. The new " Mattie " 

 brand, favoured by the quality of the early herrings, made a fair start, and 

 with careful administration should give every satisfaction. The " Filling " 

 brand was not taken much advantage of. Most of the season's cured 

 herrings were exported to Germany, almost all in part cargoes to be com- 

 pleted at other stations. The Continental markets were on the whole good, 

 and branded and unbranded herrings realised high prices. The quantity 

 of dried fish exported exceeded that of 1912 by 19,112 cwts., the chief 

 markets being South America, Spain, and the countries on the shores of the 

 Mediterranean. 



There were 44 drifters engaged at the English herring fishing, and their 

 earnings varied greatly. Part of the fleet fished from Grimsby and part 

 from Yarmouth. The Yarmouth drifters were the more successful, and 

 the most successful vessel grossed £1805, the average earnings being £830. 

 At Grimsby the most successful vessel made only £810, and the average 

 was £512. The loss of netting sustained is estimated at about £950. 



The number of fishing vessels launched was 36, as against 43 in 1912, 

 but their value was only £6900 less. The decrease was all in drifters. 



Shipbuilders are fully booked up for 1914, and many orders for drifters 

 have been refused, owing to the impossibility of building them in the 

 specified time. 



Coopers were well employed, and their wages were slightly increased 

 during the year. A branch of the " Workers' Union " was formed by the 

 coopers in summer for the better regulating of the coopering trade. 

 The output of barrels exceeded that of 1912 by 29,695. Empty barrels 

 sold at from 3s. 6d. to 6s. each. 



The extension of Aberdeen fish market along the Albert Quay is now 

 almost completed, and will be ready for use for the approaching Icelandic 

 season. The buildinii; of the new docks at Torry is nearing completion, 

 and they are expect 8(1 ( o be opened soon. 



The fuel question in connection with the steam-fishing industry has 

 engaged the attention of owners, the price of coal having risen considerably 

 during the year. A trawler is now being fitted Avith a superheating appar- 

 atus for a local owner, and this will no doubt come into common use in the 

 future. Almost everything belonging to the outfit of trawlers and liners 

 has gone up in price lately, so that a higher degree of efficiency is required 

 among fishermen before expenses can be cleared. At the end of summer 

 deck hands and cooks made application for an increase of wages and better 

 conditions. For a time it seemed as if trouble was brewing, but a settle- 

 ment satisfactory to all parties was arrived at. 



No special technical classes have been held for fishermen at Aberdeen. 

 Fishermen who intend to sit for examination for the Board of Trade certi- 

 ficates as second fishermen, mates, and skippers are coached for their 

 examination at the Aberdeen School of Navigation, and a grant of £150 



