of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



205 



their earnings on the Scottish coast made the year one of the most pros- 

 perous drift-net fishermen have ever had. The most successful steamer 

 grossed £1400, and the lowest £750, the average earnings being £800, £450, 

 and £280 respectively. The loss of fishing gear was considerable, being 

 estimated at £35 per boat. 



The small-line or haddock fishing which is prosecuted from all the creeks 

 in the district, and affords employment to a considerable number of the 

 older class of fishermen, was fairly prosperous. From 40 to 50 small and 

 6 large boats were employed during the spring and autumn months with 

 fairly good results, although the returns show a slight decrease compared 

 with those of the previous year. The fish were of excellent quality, and 

 were bought principally for the Glasgow markets at prices remunerative 

 to fishermen. 



The cod-net fishing was taken part in by 1 steamer and 83 sail 

 boats during the first three months of the year, and was very successful. 

 The returns show an increase of 5162 cwt. in quantity and £3188 in value 

 compared with those of 1912. Two local fishcurers conducted curing 

 operations, and 2456 cwt. were dispatched by them in a wet state to other 

 districts to be dried, and 571 barrels cured in pickle for the London 

 markets. 



Auxihary motor power was installed in 4 first-class boats at the close 

 of the summer herring fishing, 2 of the engines being " Gardner," and 2 

 " Kelvin," of 48 and 30 horse-power respectively. In addition, 2 small 

 boats, intended principally for the West Coast loch fishing and fine fishing 

 at home, were specially built for the reception of motor engines. 



Boat-building was fairly active, 8 steam drifters and 1 sail boat 

 being built and launched during the year. The prospects for 1914 are also 

 good, the six building yards in the district all having sufficient work on 

 hand to keep them actively employed for a considerable period. 



The teaching of navigation is being carried on during the winter months 

 at all the creeks of the district, and the young fishermen take full advantage 

 of the classes. 



James Stewart, 



Fishery Officer. 



Fishery Office, 

 Buckie, 20^^ January 1914. 



Findhorn District. 



The quantity and value of fish landed in the district during the year 

 under review compare unfavourably with the returns for the previous year, 

 the shortcoming amounting to 45,749 cwts. and £8496 respectively, refer- 

 able chiefly to herrings, cod, and haddocks. Fortunately, however, only a 

 small proportion of the district fishermen are entirely dependent on the 

 local fisheries, and for the large majority who prosecute herring fishing at 

 the chief centres around the coasts of Scotland, England, and Ireland, the 

 year was an exceedingly prosperous one. Although in the beginning of 

 the year a number of steam drifters prosecuted operations for a short period 

 on the Irish coast with poor results, an excellent fishing was obtained on the 

 West Coast of Scotland, and a number of the more fortunate crews had 

 gross earnings ranging from £500 to £1000. At the summer fishing the 

 exceptionally high prices prevaifing for fresh herrings compensated the 

 fishermen for the shortcoming in the catch, and the gross earnings of steam 

 drifters ranged from £600 to £1400, and of motor and sail boats from £250 to 



