of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



191 



of herrings and other kinds of fish, which is provided for by the many 

 steamers which regularly sail from Leith to the Continent, was carried 

 on without break, but from August onward the export gradually decHned, 

 and latterly almost ceased in consequence of the collapse of the herring 

 fishing and the restrictions put upon the export trade on account of the 

 war. As a rule, the export of herrings via Leith reaches about 300,000 

 barrels in a favourable season, but this year's total was very little more 

 than half that quantity. 



Large quantities of cured cod fish from Faroe and Iceland, and of herrings 

 from Norway and Sweden, used to be brought into the district, but this 

 year's import was comparatively small. There was a great scarcity of cured 

 cod, and at the close of the year prices had reached an unprecedentedly 

 high figure. 



Of late years the building of fishing craft has seriously declined in this 

 district, and during the preceding three years it had come to a standstill. 

 A welcome revival, however, took place this year when five steam trawlers 

 were built in Leith for local owners, and it was reported at the close of the 

 year that orders were in hand for other five. In engining, and in repairs to 

 trawlers and steam drifters there was always a fairly brisk business, but 

 the building of wooden vessels has almost ceased. 



The weather throughout the year was, on the whole, favourable for 

 fishing operations ; no great gales occurred, and, consequently, the loss 

 and damage to boats and fishing gear was comparatively light. Two trawl 

 fishermen were, unfortunately, lost at sea, but no lives were lost in the 

 other sections of the industry. 



James Ingram, 



Fishery OfjUcer. 



31st December 1914. 



Anstruther District. 



The returns of fish landed show that the various branches of the 

 fisheries which are carried on within the limits of this district were attended 

 during the year just closed by a fair measure of success. Compared 

 with that of the preceding year, the total catch shows an increase of 

 52,000 cwts., while the value exceeds that of 1913 by almost £12,000. 

 It can hardly be said, however, that the prosperity of the fishing industry 

 in the district is to any great extent reflected by the success of the local 

 fisheries. Most of the resident fishermen are usually employed for the 

 greater part of the year at fishings carried on in other districts, and for 

 them, owing to the very exceptional situation created by the European 

 crisis, the year 1914 proved one of the most unremunerative experienced 

 for a long number of years. 



For some years, as the sail boats have been gradually displaced by 

 steam drifters and motor boats, the capital invested in the fishing industry 

 has been increasing. In this district the value of vessels and boats has 

 now reached £184,000, which exceeds that at the close of last year by 

 £6590, and is an increase on that of ten years ago of about 64 per cent. 

 During the year 4 steam drifters were added to the fleet, and motor 

 engines were installed in 24 boats— 11 first class, and 13 second class. 

 Generally the motor installations were satisfactory, although in some 

 cases at the outset difficulties were experienced in working the engines. 

 At the close of the year a steam drifter was being built for local owners. 

 Other orders for steam drifters and motors were, after the outbreak 

 of war, cancelled. 



