of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



207 



and but for an unfortunate and destructive fire at one of the factories the 

 output would have been niucli larger. 



The only fatality of the year was the loss of a young fisherman through 

 falling overboard. A local steam drifter collided at sea and was totally lost, 

 but fortunately the crew were all saved. 



Walter Duff, 



Peterhead, ^ih January 1911. Fishei-y Officer. 



Fraserburgh District. 



The results of the year's operations may be summarised as good for drift- 

 net fishermen, fairly good for fish workers, moderate for line fishermen, and 

 unprofitable for fishcurers. 



Year by year it is becoming more evident that the fishermen of this district 

 derive most of their earnings from drift-net fishing at the various herring 

 fishings, and while stranger fishermen contribute towards the landings in this 

 district, the local fishermen also contribute to a large extent to the landings 

 outside their own district. 



Seven steam drifters were added to the fleet, while the sail boats have 

 been reduced by the same number. Three of the steam trawlers registered 

 at this port were sold early in the year to other districts, and only one 

 vessel of this class now remains on the registry of this port. The motor 

 boat built in the district is for the Congested Districts Board, Ireland, and, 

 should it prove a success, will probably lead to further orders for this class 

 of vessel. There has been no increase in the local fleet of motor boats. 

 Towards the end of the year the crew of one of these boats had the motor 

 removed, being dissatisfied with the speed attained. 



There is a slight reduction in the total value of boats and vessels, caused 

 by ordinary depreciation. Fishing gear shows an increase. Nets have 

 increased in area and value, while lines, especially great-lines, show a decrease. 



The former season's stock of cured herrings having gone rapidly into con- 

 sumption, a clear market was left for this year's cure, and an early start was 

 therefore made at the summer herring fishing. Commencing on 11th May, 

 the fishing was continued until 1st October, a period of fully 20 weeks, or 

 double the time this fishing lasted ten or twelve years ago. This long period 

 entails an increase of wages to fishworkers, while the quantity cured does not 

 show a proportionate increase. About 14,000 barrels were cured in May, a 

 record so far as early curing in this district is concerned. A few years ago 

 it was not considered safe or judicious to cure June herrings on the East 

 Coast; now curing is in full swing during that month. There can be no 

 doubt that a good many of the complaints which come from the Continent 

 arise from the fact that these early herrings, although a good article of food 

 if they go quickly into consumption, rapidly depreciate in quality and value 

 when kept in stock for any considerable time ; but as long as there is a 

 demand for early cured herrings curers will endeavour to supply it. The 

 preparation for curing herrings is now so extensive, and competition among 

 curers so keen, that the price of fresh herrings is frequently forced up above 

 their value, and the consequence has been that for three years in succession 

 the herring curing trade has not been a profitable one. On the other hand, 

 fishermen on the whole have had prosperous times. The weather during the 

 whole of August was remarkably fine, too fine for successful drift-net fishing. 

 Owing to the short supply during this period, prices for fresh and cured 

 herrings rose rapidly. " Klondyking," or sending herrings sprinkled with 

 salt and ice to Germany, was again tried from this port, but towards the 

 middle of August the price of herrings became so high that the Company 

 ceased operations for a season. The tendency for crews to remain at sea 

 when the catch was light for more than one night was again common, the 



