200 Appendices to Twenty -ninth Annual Report 



Coopers were regularly employed, but during the early part of the year 

 they were restricted in their output of barrels. Over 13,000 empty barrels 

 were sent from this district for use on other parts of the Scottish and 

 English coasts. 



By the end of August the district fleet of 70 sailing boats was engaged in 

 the herring fishing on the north-east coast of England, and, of this number, 

 two subsequently proceeded to Yarmouth. Herrings were scarce on the 

 fishing grounds, and the earnings ranged from X8 to £290, which gave an 

 average of only X63 per boat, as against <£168 in the previous year. 



It was estimated that, on the English coasts, the loss of and damage to 

 fishing gear sustained bv fishermen from this district amounted to about 

 £1100. 



The two fishery barometers in this district are in good working order. 



Wm. Nisbet, 



Fishery Office, Fishery Oflrer. 



Montrose, 5th January, 1911. 



Stonehaven District. 



The total quantity and value of fish landed in Stonehaven district in 1910 

 exhibit a slight increase compared with the returns for the preceding year. 

 Herrings and white fish show an increase of 3018 cwts. in quantity and 

 £126 in value. Shell-fish also show a small increase in value. 



There are no changes of any importance in the means of capture returns. 



The summer. herring fishing at Stonehaven opened in the first week of 

 June. The fleet comprised 19 local sailing boats, but throughout the 

 season a number of stranger crews put into harbour with their catches when, 

 owing to spells of calm weather or contrary winds, they were unable to 

 make their own ports. The season's results were not satisfactory, several 

 factors operating against success, such as unsuitable weather, distance to and 

 from the fishing grounds, and the local crews delivering their catches at 

 every available opportunity in Aberdeen, where better prices could be 

 obtained. Notwithstanding, 1162 crans, valued at £479, were landed more 

 than in the season of 1909. The average price per cran was 13s. Id., 

 against 14s. lid. in the previous year. The crews fished for the most part 

 on the fishing grounds from 30 to 100 miles E. to S.E. by S. from Stone- 

 haven. A feature of the season was, that from the commencement of the 

 season to the finish, the herrings were all got on the distant fishing grounds. 

 As the season advanced herrings became scarce, and in consequence a 

 number of local boats proceeded to Scarborough and other English ports in 

 the month of August. The few remaining boats continued fishing for some 

 time with indiff^erent success. 



Ten largo sailing boats fitted out for the great line fishing, and a 

 commencement was made in the first week in April. The season was not 

 successfu]. Most of the vessels landed their catches in Aberdeen, where 

 better prices were to be had, especially for cod and ling for splitting and 

 curing purposes. The quantity landed at Stonehaven was limited to week- 

 end deliveries, when the crews came home. Scarcity of fish, and the early 

 start at herring fishing, has been telling of late against this branch of the 

 industry, which was of some importance several years ago. The earnings 

 this season were poor for the most part ; the best-fished boat earned £90. 

 The cod and ling returns show considerable decreases compared with those 

 of last year, and in consequence less was done than formerly in curing and 

 drying fish for export. 



Small-line fishing was steadily prosecuted at the various small creeks in 

 the district. The year may be classed as an average one. Haddocks and 



