XXX 



Thirty-third Annual Report 



whitings have been increasing in abundance in recent years, and this 

 would suggest that, as in t]ie case of haddocks previously referred to, 

 an unusually large addition was made to the stock some seasons back. 



The increase was due to the greater success of the small-line fisher- 

 men, particularly in Banff district, as the trawl catch, which amounted 

 to 208,162 cwts., was about 2000 cwts. less than in the preceding year. 



The average price per cwt. throughout the year was 12s. Id., as 

 compared with 9s. 5d. in 1913, and the value consequently shows the 

 large increase of £30,706, or 29 per cent., the figures for 1914 and 1913 

 being respectively £135,885 and £105,179. 



Saithe, Torsk, and Conger Eels. 



The total quantity of saithe landed was 340,879 cwts., which, 

 although 70,000 cwts. less than the catch for 1913, is 35 per cent, greater 

 than the average for the five years 1909-1913. Of this quantity 

 272,273 cwts. is referable to trawls, 49,104 cwts. to lines, and 19,502 

 cwts. to nets, the latter figure representing an increase upon the net- 

 catch in 1913 of 8087 cwts.^ 



Notwithstanding the large decrease in quantity, the value, which 

 amounted to £78,050, was only £441 less than in 1913, the average 

 price per cwt. realised having advanced from 3s. lOd. to 4s. 7d. 



Of torsk, 18,503 cwts., valued at £7901, were landed, as compared 

 with 17,365 cwts., and £6364 in the preceding year. This fish is landed 

 chiefly by the steam liners which work from Aberdeen, and these vessels 

 accounted for 71 per cent, of the total. 



The catch of conger eels, which amounted to 26,627 cwts., shows 

 the relatively large increase of 4684 cwts., or 21 per cent., while the 

 value increasedfrom £9960 to £11,683. This species is taken principally 

 on the West Coast by steam liners and motor boats workingfrom Mallaig, 

 and the increase was almost wholly due to the improved catch of the 

 fleet which operated from that port. 



Hake, Gurnards, Catfish, and Monks. 



Hake were also more plentiful in 1914, 27,844 cwts., valued at 

 £22,083, having been landed, as compared with 18,914 cwts., valued at 

 £15,869, in the preceding year. About 90 per cent, of the catch of this 

 species is taken by trawlers, and the increased landings were mainly 

 due to the great success achieved by the section of the Aberdeen fleet 

 which operated during June off the Orkneys. These vessels obtained 

 some phenomenal catches for that season, with the result that the 

 landings at Aberdeen for that month amounted to 5725 cwts., or more 

 than five times as much as in June 1913. Some exceptionally fine 

 shots were also obtained in the spring off South Kona by the fleet 

 of steam liners working from Mallaig. 



The increased supply had the effect of easing prices somewhat, and 

 the average price per cwt. {15s. lOd.) was lid. less than in the preceding 

 year. 



Gurnards, catfish, and monks are the least valuable of the round- 

 fish, and the aggregate catch of the three species, which amounted 

 to 6L906 cwts., realised only £16,523, the corresponding figures for 

 1913 being 61,354 cwts. and £15,720. All three species realised sHghtly 

 higher average prices than in 1913. 



