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Appendices to Tiventy -ninth Annual Report 



tively small, but the vessels engaged at the English fishing sustained 

 considerable loss of netting, some crews losing most of their fleet and others 

 suffering to the extent of from 20 to 40 nets. The loss was caused by the 

 nets going down with fish, and also by foaling. 



The returns of fish landed in Buckie district in 1910 show a large 

 increase in quantity and value when compared with those of the preceding 

 year. This increase is apparent in both net and line caught fish, but 

 chiefly in the landings of herrings, which alone show an increase of 25,731 

 cwts. in quantity and ^5341 in value, attributable to the early commencement 

 of the herring fishing. 



During the year seven first-class sail boats were struck off the register. 

 On the other hand, 1 7 steam drifters were added to the fleet, at a cost of 

 .£42,500, the steam fleet now numbering 236 vessels, with a tonnage of 

 5950, and a value of ^590,000. The increase upon last year's figures in the 

 value of boats and fishing material combined amounts to <£50,202. 



Auxiliary motor power cannot be said to have found favour in this district, 

 as only two boats of that class were added during the year, bringing the 

 number of these vessels up to seven. One of the boats added was built 

 specially for motor power, and proved exceedingly efficient, until, when 

 employed at the English herring fishing, she had a slight breakdown which 

 rendered her useless for a few days. The experiment was watched with 

 great interest by the fishermen of the district, but unfortunately the break- 

 down gave them a somewhat unfavourable opinion of this method of 

 propulsion. 



A new departure in the district was that of cod net fishing. It was 

 prosecuted by 14 steam and 12 sail boats during the early spring months, 

 with excellent results. The fishing grounds were principally in the shallow 

 waters of the Moray Firth from Tarbat IS'ess to the Helmsdale grounds, and 

 the boats got to and from the grounds daily. The total quantity landed by 

 this mode of fishing was 8749 cwts., valued at .£3480. 



The herring fishing commenced early in May, and continued until the 

 end of August, when it was practically closed for the year. No regular fleet 

 of boats made Buckie its headquarters, but from 20 to 60 steam drifters 

 generally came home for a week-end with their catches. There was a large 

 increase in the landings, compared with the previous year, and from the 

 beginning of the season herrings were of excellent quality, so that curing for 

 the Continental markets began in May. The total number of barrels cured 

 was 14,223, compared with 4282 in 1909. 



At the close of the summer herring fishing, preparations on a large scale 

 were made for the English fishing. Two hundred and thirty-six steam 

 drifters and 92 sail boats fitted out, and left home at the end of September 

 for the English coast, where they remained until December. The earnings 

 of steam vessels had a very wide range, varying from .£200 to £1400, or an 

 average of £430 per boat, while those of sail boats ranged from £60 to 

 £180, with an average of £90 per boat. The season will be noteworthy for 

 two features — the very high prices which prevailed for herrings throughout, 

 ani the great loss sustained by fishermen through the extensive destruction 

 of nets and fishing gear. 



The district crews operating on the Irish coast during the winter and 

 early summer months were fairly successful, their earnings ranging from 

 £400 to £550, or an average of £350 per vessel. 



Fishery Office, 

 Macduff, Qth January 1911. 



James Farquharson, 



Fishery Officer. 



Buclde District. 



