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Appendices to Thirty-iliird Annual Report 



The winter herring fishing during the past few years showed signs 

 of declining, and preparations for prosecuting this fishing were not made 

 on the same scale as in former years. A small number of crews com- 

 menced operations during the first week of January, and herrings were 

 obtained in small quantities near the May Island. With an improvement 

 in the results about the end of January, more crews were encouraged 

 to fit out boats, and, during the first week of February, the usual fleet 

 was employed. In contrast to the few preceding seasons when herrings 

 were obtained mostly close inshore by means of anchored nets, most 

 of last season's catch was obtained near the May Island, and, in con- 

 sequence, the best results were obtained by the large boats. The fishing 

 continued till the end of March, when the total catch amounted to 

 29,857 crans, valued at £32,065, compared with 8927 crans, valued at 

 £12,252, for the season of 1913. Throughout the season the demand 

 for herrings was good and satisfactory prices were reahsed. * A consider- 

 able portion of the catch was sent to continental markets in a fresh 

 state. About 1100 crans were cured gutted for exportation. 



The summer herring fishing, so far as this district is concerned, may 

 be characterised as a failure. During the early part of the season the 

 local crews fished mostly from northern stations. Although no regular 

 fishing was carried on from this district, occasional takes were landed 

 during June and July. The fishing was abandoned at the outbreak of 

 war, the total catch then being only 1268 crans, against 7784 crans for 

 the whole season of the preceding year. Less than half of the catch 

 was cured. For most of the district fishermen the summer fishing closed 

 on 1st August. On the mobilisation of the Eoyal Naval Reserve, a 

 large number of boats were partially depleted of their crews, and the 

 fishing was abruptly terminated. A few crews resumed operations for 

 a week or two about the middle of August, but, as the fishing area was 

 restricted, the results were disappointing. Compared with the cor- 

 responding season of 1913, it is estimated that the loss to the fishermen 

 of this district through the stoppage of the summer herring fishing amounted 

 to over £60,000. 



The local steam fishing vessels were employed during the months of 

 April and May at great-line fishing. The results proved very satisfactory. 

 High prices were obtained for the fish landed, and the average gross 

 earnings per vessel were £135 greater than those for the same period of 

 1913. Small-line fishing continues to grow in importance. Altogether 

 21 motor boats and a number of saihng boats were employed at this 

 fishing, the number of crews engaged being greater than usual owing to 

 the stoppage of herring fishing. Small haddocks were abundant on the 

 Firth of Forth grounds, and the catch shows an increase of 72 per cent. 



The plaice and codling net fishing which is carried on in St, Andrew's 

 Bay was attended by poor results. Unfortunately, during the last month 

 of the year, when there were prospects of a successful fishing, the weather 

 conditions were unfavourable, and a considerable loss of netting was 

 sustained. 



The value of shell fish shows a falling off. There was a considerable 

 increase in the catch of lobsters, but during autumn, owing to exportation s 

 to continental markets being stopped, prices were lower. Crabs were 

 less abundant. The demand for mussels during the latter half of the 

 year was good, and the output shows a substantial increase. 



No crews from this district took part in the autumn herring fishing 

 on the English coast. This fishing in 1913 yielded to fishermen belonging 

 to this district gross earnings amounting to almost £57,000. Five crews 

 prosecuted herring fishing on the Irish coast during the summer months, 

 but the venture did not prove successful. 



