of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



211 



The estimated gross earnings of the district steam drifters on the English 

 coast amount to £102,000, and on the Irish coast to £18,000. Taking the 

 year as a whole, the average earnings of steam drifters amount to £1600, 

 compared with £1850 in 1909. 



Small-line fishing was carried on as usual from October to April by small 

 boats, and was more successful than during the previous year, the landings 

 of haddocks showing an increase of 1395 cwts. Great-line fishing is now 

 receiving little attention, and is being rapidly abandoned in favour of the 

 newer method of cod net fishing. 



Coopers were generally well employed during the year, either at herring 

 curing at home or outside stations. Barrel-making was also fairly brisk 

 during the first half of the year. 



Five steam drifters and one first-class sail boat, all for local crews, were 

 built and launched during the year. 



Two steam drifters and one sail boat were totally lost, one of the former 

 by foundering at sea, and the other when taking Yarmouth harbour ; all 

 the crews were saved. 



The loss of, and damage done to, fishing material in Scottish waters were 

 considerable, and on the English coast it is estimated that the loss 

 sustained amounted to fully £li,000. 



The extension of Buckie (Cluny) Harbour was commenced during the 

 year, and it is expected that when completed it will accommodate 150 steam 

 drifters, in addition to the space for ordinary working trafl&c. There can be 

 no doubt that the increased harbour area, when completed, will greatly add 

 to the prosperity of the town. 



The navigation classes opened in the district last year for fishermen were 

 continued this year, and were largely attended, with the result that 440 

 candidates sat for their examination in navigation and seamanship, and were 

 successful in obtaining their certificates as masters and second hands. 



The results of the various branches of the fisheries as carried on in this 

 district were during 1910 very satisfactory, the total quantity of fish landed 

 showing a considerable increase over the figures for the preceding year. This 

 may partly be attributed to the favourable fishing weather which prevailed 

 during most of the year. 



The steam drifter is still the favourite craft among the fishermen, and 

 during the year under review 20 were added to the fleet, while two were 

 totally wrecked and lost. On the other hand, the fleet of first-class sail 

 boats decreased by 13. This class of fishing vessel must of necessity give 

 place to the steam drifter if the fishermen are to maintain their pre-eminent 

 position on the Scottish coast. Moreover, the greater comfort and reliability 

 of the steam drifter as compared with the sailing craft appeal very strongly 

 to the fishermen, and, so far as can be observed, even when account is taken 

 of the greater initial cost, as well as upkeep and working expenses, the 

 steam drifter promises to become the fishing vessel of the future. It is only 

 the lack of money that prevents many fishermen from acquiring a steam 

 drifter. The motor boat has not commended itself to the fishermen of this 

 district. The machinery is considered somewhat intricate, too delicate, and 

 not suflSciently reliable, and when fitted in the present sailing craft it 

 has not given the speed expected. Moreover, the sailing boat, built to be 

 stable under sail, requires a motor of a larger size than the available space 

 will admit of. 



Fishery Office, 

 Buckie, ^th January 1911. 



James Stewart, 



Fishery Officer. 



Findhor7i District. 



O 



