of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



215 



boats and 9 steam drifters, the same number as in the previous year. These 

 operated from AVick, Orkney, and Shetland. The results of the fishing were 

 in most cases satisfactory. The earnings of the steam drifters varied from 

 X642 to £1180, the average being £942. The average earnings of the 

 sailing boats amounted to about £240. 



At the English herring fishing tho district was represented by 9 steam 

 drifters and 1 sailing boat. The earnings of the sailing boat amounted to 

 £170, while those of the steam drifters varied from £286 to £592, the 

 average being £427. Unfortunately, in connection with this fishing the 

 crews sustained an exceptionally heavy loss of fishing gear, the value of 

 which is estimated at not less than £90 per vessel. 



The coopers were fully employed during the year, and the number of 

 barrels constructed was practically the same as in the previous year. 



The fishery barometer at Dunbeath continues to receive careful attention. 



It cannot be said that the fisheries of this district have in any way im- 

 proved during the year under review. 



Both fishing craft and gear are wearing out, and to no great extent are 

 they being replaced. In consequence, the number of boats and the quantity 

 of fishing material in use both show a slight decrease from the returns of 

 the preceding year. Fewer men belonging to the district were employed at 

 the prosecution of the fishing, and generally there is a gradual decline going 

 on, so that, although it was once a thriving district, it has now^ become one 

 of little importance. 



The combining of herring fishing with crofting was a system which for 

 long was successfully conducted in this district. It will not be long, 

 however, ere it will have been entirely abandoned. For this change various 

 reasons may be assigned. In the first place, there is the failure of the 

 inshore fishings ; then there is the necessity of having an expensive craft and 

 outfit in order to cope with the changed conditions that exist ; while the 

 early date at which herring fishing is now commenced does not suit persons 

 who are connected with agriculture. 



The winter herring fishing, which is pursued early in the year, w^as a com- 

 plete failure. For the whole of the season the landings amounted to only 

 twelve crans. Stormy weather frequently kept the boats in port for con- 

 siderable periods, while, although there was said to be some evidence of fish 

 being on the grounds, they were at too great a distance from the land for 

 the small craft in use to pursue them. 



No great success attended the prosecution of the summer herring fishing. 

 It is the inshore grounds that the crews which operate from Lybster depend 

 upon. Although not steadily pursued, operations were extended over a 

 period of fully three months. A commencement was made early in the 

 month of June, and a large proportion of the season's catch was secured 

 during the first three weeks that the crews were at work. During what is 

 usually looked upon as the regular season (July and August), herrings were 

 not met with in any quantity upon the usual grounds ofi this district. The 

 total catch amounted to 651 crans. Throughout the season pi ices ranging 

 from lis. to 20s. per cran were paid, the average price being 13s. 8d., as com- 

 pared with 22s. 9d. for the year 1909. 



Only one herring-curing station was open for the whole season at Lybster, 

 as there is but one resident curer there now, A firm from Wick was 

 represented there for some weeks of the season. 



Fishery Office, 

 Helmsdale, 7 tJi January 1911, 



Alexander Wood, 



Fishery O^cer. 



Lybster District. 



