208 



Appendices to Tiventy -ninth Annual Report 



cousequence being that a considerable quantity of sprinkled or overday's fish 

 was landed. The average price per cran for herrings lauded by steam drifters 

 was 19s. 8d., by motor boats 19s., and by sail boats 19s. 7d., while the 

 average price for the \vhole catch was 19s. 7d. The total catch exceeded 

 that of the previous year by 47,689 crans and £10,688 in value. 



So far as earnings are concerned, the steam drifters had a successful year ; 

 they made good earnings during the summer herring fishing, and also had a 

 good season at the English fishing, while a few did fairly well in Ireland and 

 on the West Coast. Motor boats again occupy a position about midway 

 between the steam drifter and sail boat, but there is no indication meantime 

 of local fishermen further adopting this means of propulsion. 



At the English fishing 48 steam drifters landed 18,416 crans, valued at 

 £27,614, and 10 motor and 22 sail boats landed 4072 crans, valued at 

 £5903. At the Irish herring fishings, 47 steam drifters landed 8990 crans, 

 valued at £8791, and 10 sail boats had 1225 crans, valued at £1100. 

 Unfortunately, during the course of the English fishing several storms were 

 encountered, and the loss of, and damage to, fishing gear sustained by local 

 crews is estimated at £3600. One local sail boat was wrecked on the English 

 coast on the way home from Yarmouth. The loss and damage sustained 

 during the course of the year in home waters was below the average. 



Exports to the Continent went on steadily during the whole fishing, and at 

 the end of the season about 11,000 barrels remained on hand; these had 

 been reduced at the end of the year to 35 barrels. Eussia again received the 

 largest proportion of the direct exports. Besides the direct exports, 42,000 

 barrels were sent coastwise or by rail to other districts for export. 



A trial was again made at cod net fishing, but apparently the fishing 

 ground in this locality is not suitable for this method of capture. 



Great-line fishing is steadily on the decrease. Small-line fishing was less 

 successful than usual, fishermen who regularly followed this occupation 

 having sometimes difficulty in earning sufficient to pay the cost of bait. 

 Haddocks were scarcer than usual on the ordinary small-line fishing grounds. 



Thirty-five cargoes of fishcuring stock were sent to England, 21 to Shetland, 

 9 to Orkney, 2 to Ireland, and 2 to Castlebay. Twenty-eight cargoes of 

 fishery salt and 14 cargoes of staves and hoops were imported. The port 

 still continues to produce a large quantity of barrels and half-barrels. 



Steady progress continues to be made with the harbour extension works. 



One local fisherman was drowned in Fraserburgh Bay and one at the 

 English fishing. 



The four fishery barometers are in good condition. 



Generally speaking, the year now dealt with was fairly remunerative. 

 The results of the home fishings compare favourably with those of the 

 preceding year, there being an increase in herrings and haddocks. This is 

 also true regarding the English and Irish fishings, the success or otherwise 

 of which to a large extent makes or mars the prosperity and well-being of 

 many of our youngest and most energetic fishermen. The total landings in 

 England were under those of the year 1909, but exceptionally high prices 

 more than made up for the shortage, and those who were fortunate in 

 securing herrings did very well indeed, although some made little or no 

 headway. For these distant fishings, fishermen are more and more realising 

 the inefficiency of sail boats, and going in for steam, although there is 

 always the difficulty in disposing of the sail boats to be faced. 



Fishery Office, 

 Frasbreurgh, ^th January 1911. 



George Cormack, 



Fishery Officer. 



Banff District. 



