of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



183 



Wick. 



In Wick district exceptional success was obtained at herring fishing 

 during the first quarter of the year. As in the preceding year operations 

 were conducted ofi the north-east coast of Sutherlandshire, and a total 

 of 45,972 crans was landed, against 13,390 crans in 1913. Previous to 

 1890 large quantities of herrings and white fish were landed at Wick 

 from the Moray Firth during the winter. These grounds eventually 

 became unproductive at that period of the year, and the discovery of 

 herrings off the north-east coast of Sutherlandshire during the winter 

 months may be placed to the credit of steam fishing vessels. 



The summer herring fishing was conducted with marked success from 

 the close of May till the beginning of August. Thereafter the calUng 

 up of the K.N. Eeserve disorganised the whole industry, and the fishing 

 was rapidly brought to a close much earlier than usual. Contrasted w4th 

 the preceding year the catch for August alone showed a decrease of 37,000 

 crans in quantity and £44,000 in value. When war broke out prices for 

 the fresh and cured article ruled high, and there was every prospect of 

 a profitable season to all interested. Unfortunately there was a consider- 

 able portion of the season's catch on hand, and for sale on the Continent. 

 On these curers would lose heavily. To fishermen, generally, the season 

 was also unprofitable, especially to many of those on sail craft, the 

 earnings of which ranged from £50 to £300. The majority of the steam 

 vessels grossed from £400 to £700, others £800 to £900, and £1150. The 

 partial stoppage of the English herring fishing threw a large number of 

 shore workers out of employment. Many of the coopers, fishermen, and 

 others were, however, well employed during the remainder of the year 

 in connection with naval requirements in northern waters. As in 

 other districts quite a number of young men joined the naval and miHtary 

 forces. 



Stornaway. 



A total of 111,079 crans of herrings was landed in Stornoway district 

 during the first quarter of the year, being an increase of 6358 crans on 

 the unprecedented catch for the corresponding period in 1913. Prices, 

 however, ruled lower, the average per cran being 12s. 4d. against 16s. 7d. 

 A large portion of the catch was kippered and freshed, and about 10,000 

 barrels were cured ungutted — 7000 of which were shipped to Yarmouth 

 and 3000 to Aberdeen to be smoked and dried for the home and Mediter- 

 ranean trade. As usual the bulk of the catch was cured gutted for 

 Russia, Germany, and America. These winter herrings are not highly 

 appreciated in a pickled state, and notwithstanding the low prices for 

 the fresh fish, curers generally had an unprofitable season. Those 

 engaged in kippering and freshing had no reason to complain, and but 

 for the high freight rates — which often exceeded the value of the fish — 

 a much larger portion of the catch could have been disposed of in the 

 home markets. 



During the spring and summer months to the close of August a total 

 of 31,842 crans was landed, at an average price of 27s. lOd. per cran. 

 The best results were obtained in July, the total being 14,623 crans, at an 

 average price of 34s. per cran. The July fish were of superior quality, 

 and several small parcels which reached the Continent before war was 

 declared reahsed high prices. Thereafter the demand ceased, and several 

 vessels on the passage out with fish of July cure were detained at Copen- 

 hagen, where at least one cargo had to be sold for less than the cost of the 

 . empty barrels. During the last four months of the year the fishing was 

 irregularly prosecuted by a small and varying fleet, but yielded a total 



