of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



201 



flat-fish exhibit small increases, while whitings and other classes of fish show 

 slight decreases when compared with the returns for 1909. 



The shell fisheries in the district continue to receive considerable attention. 

 At Catterline, Shieldhill, and Crawton large quantities of crabs were 

 despatched to market by the fishermen, who consign their catches them- 

 selves, and thus reap the benefits to be derived from being their own 

 merchants. In the number of crabs and lobsters caught, and the value 

 obtained, there is an increase as compared with last year's returns. 



Curing of herrings for the Continental markets was carried on at Stone- 

 haven during the summer fishing season. The greater part of the year's 

 cure was secured comparatively early in the season, particularly during June 

 and July, and in consequence branding was limited. When the herrings 

 were eligible for it, they were all presented for the brand. A fair proportion 

 of the seasons' herring catch was kippered and freshed, and sent mostly to 

 the Southern markets. 



It is highly satisfactory to be able to report that no lives were lost in 

 connection with the fisheries during the year. 



Fourteen Stonehaven crews proceeded to the English herring fishing. 

 Ten boats fished from Scarborough during September and October, and met 

 with poor success. The average earnings per boat only came to £47, the 

 best-fished earning £100, and the lowest £20. The other four boats fished 

 from Grimbsy. They had fair success, averaging £124, the best-fished 

 boat realizing £160 and the lowest £90. 



The Stonehaven Harbour Commmissioners have recently received from the 

 Treasury an offer of a grant of £6000 and a loan of £7000 to be spent in 

 deepening and extending the harbour. The Stonehaven town rates are to 

 be security for the loan, and the Town Council are meantime considering 

 the matter, with a view to getting the time allowed for the repayment spread 

 over a period of fifty years, instead of thirty years as stipulated in the offer. 



Donald Skinner, 

 Fishery Office, Fishery O-0icet\ 



Aberdeen, 14^/i January 1911. 



Aberdeen District. 



In reviewing the results of the fishing industry for 1910, it is gratifying 

 to be able to report that the year's operations in the principal branches of 

 the industry were markedly prosperous, the catch being a record one, both as 

 regards quantity and value. Including the landings by foreign trawlers, it 

 amounted to 2,299,276 cwts,, valued at £1,137,866 respectively. It is 

 noteworthy that the combined catches of steam trawlers and steam line 

 fishing vessels have, for the first time in the annals of the industry, realised 

 over one million pounds sterling. Generally speaking, the trawling industry 

 experienced a fairly remunerative season, and most vessels did remarkably 

 well, their gross earnings being considerably above the average, chiefly on 

 account of the high prices realised for fish. Steam line fishing was likewise 

 specially good, the landings exceeding all former records. Although the 

 herring fishing shows a slight increase in the catch, the value was £10,201 

 less than in 1909. The small-line fishing, which may now be looked upon 

 as a decaying industry, was by no means successfully prosecuted, and fisher- 

 men barely earned a living wage. The weather throughout the year was 

 very unsettled, especially during the opening and closing months of the year, 

 and this militated greatly against regular fishing by the smaller craft. On 

 the whole, the season favoured the fishermen more than the curers, as the 

 latter had invariably to pay too high prices for fish, thereby leaving little or 

 no margin for profit. 



