of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



181 



beginning of May, and at Eyemouth and Blyth a couple of weeks later. 

 These ports do a considerable trade in kippering and freshing. By the 

 end of the month a few boats were operating from each of the remaining 

 ports. Good results were obtained during the first two months, and the 

 prospects of a successful season were considered good, the catch at one 

 period being largely in excess of that for 1913. Unfortunately, by the 

 end of June this state of matters was reversed, and the downward tend- 

 ency continued all through the season. The increase in the early part of 

 the season was, no doubt, due to the larger number of boats fishing, as 

 the decrease in the latter part may be ascribed to the smaller number ; 

 but at the same time the average per boat was much lower than in 1913. 

 The catch was also adversely affected by the danger from mines, which 

 prevented a number of boats fishing on certain grounds which they usually 

 frequent. While the landings at all the stations exhibit decreases from 

 1913, that at Blyth is the mxost serious, the catch at that port being only 

 a Uttle over one-fifth of the previous year's. Eyemouth was the least 

 affected, although a week's fishing was lost at this port partly on account of 

 Admiralty orders, and partly through a misunderstanding among the 

 fishermen. The season practically closed in the first week of September, 

 but 11 steam trawlers continued operations from North Shields till the 

 end of October, landing a total of 4398 crans, of the value of £6104. In- 

 cluding the trawled herrings, the total catch for the district was 117,684 

 crans, as compared with 244,219 for the previous year. Prices ranged 

 from 3s. to 108s., with an average of 22s. 5d. per cran, as against 28s. 3d. 

 in 1913. 



Although the quality of the early herrings was about the same as in 

 1913, curers last year restricted their operations in view of the large 

 stocks of these herrings held by the northern curers, and the consequent 

 unpromising outlook. None was cured after war was declared. The 

 number of barrels cured was abnormally small. War was declared at a 

 time when curing for export usually becomes general throughout the 

 district, so that late curing stations, such as Blyth and North Shields, 

 were most affected in this respect. Of the herrings cured fully half M^as 

 cured at Eyemouth. The principal fishing grounds were from 10 to 

 20 miles N.E. and S.E. of the Fame Islands. 



Besides the 1303 J barrels of herrings exported direct, 765 were sent 

 coastwise, and about 3870 by rail to Leith for exportation to the Continent ; 

 also 743 direct to Norway. About 3000 were disposed of in the inland 

 markets, viz. Leith, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, London, etc. The 1303.^ 

 referred to were Yarmouth herrings exported in January. 



The small-line fishing was prosecuted with fair success, more especially 

 during the last three months of the year, and exhibits a considerable 

 increase both in quantity and value on 1913. Trials were made on the 

 offshore grounds but without success, and the fishing was for the m.ost 

 part carried on from 2 to 4 miles off the coast. Few takes exceeded 6 

 boxes of all kinds. Of the totals, haddocks represented 40 per cent, in 

 quantity, and 53 per cent, in value. Prices for haddocks ranged from 

 10s. to 72s. per box of 6 stones — a record price. The average per cwt. 

 was 22s. 5d., as compared with 28s. in 1913. 



There was a considerable decrease in the value of the shell fisheries, 

 due partly to fewer boats being employed. Crabs realised from 2s. to 4s. 

 per score. 



Barrel-making constituted a record for the district. The demand 

 was caused by the sale of stock for the English fishing of 1913. The war 

 affected the output to a small extent, but as a rule few are made during 

 the latter part of the year. As curers have large stocks on hand, few 

 barrels will be made this year. 



