of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



209 



Helmsdale District. 



The results of the fisheries in the year 1913 were poor, and show, when 

 compared with those obtained in the preceding year, a marked decrease 

 in both quantity and value. Yearly the fishing population of the villages 

 of this district becomes more dependent on the herring fishing, and for- 

 tunately both the fishermen and the women workers experienced, in 1913, 

 gratifying success at the fishings in which they took part. 



For a fortnight in February haddocks were very plentiful on the 

 fishing grounds of! Helmsdale. During that period 21 small yawls be- 

 longing to Helmsdale landed 1618 cwts. of haddocks and codfings, but 

 chiefly haddocks, valued at £640, The yawls were manned by 74 men, 

 so that the average earnings of the fishermen worked out at £8 13s. for 

 the fortnight's work. That was, however, the only bright incident con- 

 nected with the haddock fishing. These fish were at all times through- 

 out the remainder of the year remarkably scarce on the fishing grounds, 

 except in Dunbeath Bay, where, in October and November, some good 

 catches were obtained by the Dunbeath, and occasionally the Helmsdale, 

 crews. 



From March on to the end of the year the " ripper " fishing was 

 irregularly prosecuted by a few crews from Helmsdale and Dunbeath. 

 The results, however, were very disappointing, the individual catches 

 seldom exceeding 1 J cwt. codlings. 



In the spring months the fishermen of Golspie succeeded in securing 

 fairly satisfactory earnings by combining cod-net with small-fine fishing. 



The shell-fish fisheries were carried on as usual. When compared 

 with the results obtained in the preceding year increases are shown in 

 lobsters and in unclassified shell-fish, and decreases in mussels and crabs. 

 The total value shows an increase of £83 over that of 1912. 



The fine " Glardner " motor yawl, belonging to Dunbeath, mentioned 

 in last year's Annual Report, was employed in 1913 from 1st January to 

 4th April at small-fine and cod net fishing, and from 18th September to 

 31st December at small-fine fishing. For these periods the gross earnings 

 (after deducting £7, the value of the oil consumed) amounted to £250. 

 The boat cost £190, was manned by 4 men, and one-fifth of the gross 

 earnings was allowed for the boat's share. The engine has given no 

 trouble, and continues to give great satisfaction to the owners of the boat. 



At the close of the summer herring fishing 2 Dunbeath crews each 

 hired a motor fine boat from Wick owners. These boats were also em- 

 ployed at small-line fishing during the last quarter of the year. Their 

 gross earnings for that period (without deducting cost of running the 

 engine) amounted to £60 and £105 respectively. 



In the closing days of the year, and too late to be entered in the returns 

 of fishing boats for 1913, there was installed into one of the Brora haddock 

 yawls a 6 horse-power " Kelvin " motor engine. This installation cost 

 £70. No doubt the results of this experiment will be watched with 

 interest by the fishermen of Brora and the neighbouring villages. 



The returns of " means of capture " show, when compared with those 

 of 1912, no change of an important nature. The decreases of 6 and 78 

 respectively in the number and tonnage of fishing boats, as shown in 

 Appendix A. — No. 2, were due to a number of worn-out saifing boats having 

 been cancelled during the year. 



A large number (occasionally as many as 50) of the Embo fishermen 

 were, for a considerable portion of the year, employed as labourers at the 

 Admiralty Works, Cromarty, and, after the month of March, the fishing was 

 almost entirely neglected at that creek. 



