X 



Thirty-third Annual Report 



tabulated, and a statement of the totals for the East Coast, Orkney 

 and Shetland, and the West Coast respectively is sent for publication 

 to the Press. 



A statement is also issued at the end of each month showing the 

 quantity of cured herrings of each description in stock in this 

 country. 



Information is also received from Germany, Holland, Norway, 

 and Sweden, giving particulars, in so far as those countries are con- 

 cerned, of the catch, cure, and export of herrings and other sea-fish, 

 and this is also issued to the Press for the information of those 

 interested. 



The publication of such information in the Press depends, however, 

 upon the convenience and the exigencies of the time and space at 

 the disposal of the various newspapers, many of which do not circulate 

 extensively among those most directly interested. The Board there- 

 fore have had long in contemplation a publication of their own in 

 order to make all the information at their disposal directly available 

 to those engaged in the various branches of the fishing industry. 

 Hitherto they have not been enabled to succeed in this object for the 

 lack of funds. 



Improvement of Fishery Harbours. 



From time to time the Board have pressed the question of the 

 growing need of increased harbour accommodation, owing to the 

 change from sailing boats to steamers of the vessels engaged in the 

 herring fishing. Harbours which were adequate to the circumstances 

 existing at the time of their erection are becoming year by year less 

 capable of meeting the growing demand both in docking space and 

 depth of water. Fishermen are thus forced to lay up their fishing 

 boats during the winter months at sometimes considerable distances 

 from their homes. The necessary attention and repairs required 

 can only be carried out at great expense in travelling and other- 

 wise, to say nothing of enhanced dock charges. Several other 

 inconveniences and economic dangers following upon the phenomenal 

 rapidity of change from sailing power to steam have impressed upon 

 the Board the absolute necessity of making the harbours reasonably 

 adequate to meet that change. This is without doubt one of the 

 most pressing problems in connection with the herring fishing industry. 



In our Report for 1912 we stated the steps taken by us to bring the 

 needs of Scotland in this respect before the proper authorities, and the 

 result at present stands as under : — 



