of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



195 



dwindling interest in this branch of the industry which in recent years 

 was becoming very manifest. 



TrawHng operations were carried on from Dundee with very gratifying 

 results, in fact, last year was the most profitable on record. Prices, 

 which appear to be increasing yearly for white fish, were unusually high 

 during the latter five months of the year. Notwithstanding the high 

 cost of working expenses and the war restrictions imposed by the Admir- 

 alty, all connected with this part of the trade at Dundee should have had 

 a profitable time. In quantity the trawled fish landed in the district 

 shows a decrease of 5985 cwts., but in value an increase of £2474, when 

 contrasted with the returns of the previous year. Trawled haddocks 

 exhibit a shortage of 3283 cwts., but plaice show an increase of 2318 cwts. 

 in comparison with the figures of 1913. The chief fishing areas visited 

 were those from 5 to 90 miles S.E. by E. to N.Pl from the Bell Rock and 

 10 to 50 miles E.N.E. of the Aberdeenshire Coast. As a rule the boats 

 made two trips per week to market, a practice which ensures a daily and 

 regular supply of fish to buyers. The sum grossed by the most successful 

 trawlef last year was £4306, while £3786 would represent the average 

 gross earnings of each boat. The value of the best single shot was £155. 

 The average catch per arrival was 52*32 cwts., and the value £46, as 

 against 55-53 cwts. and £39 a trip respectively in 1913. The average 

 price of trawled fish per cwt. last year was 17s. 4d., as compared with 

 14s. 5d. per cwt. in the previous year. Several stranger trawlers landed 

 their mid-week shots at Montrose. Two of the Dundee boats were sold 

 in the spring, but they are likely to be replaced by more modern vessels 

 soon. 



The shell fish returns are almost the same as those of the preceding year. 



Thirteen crews successfully engaged at the Firth of Forth winter 

 herring fishing. The boats which fitted out for the spring great-line 

 fishing had a moderately successful season. Those crews who, in the 

 autumn, went to the North of England herring fishing only remained a 

 short time owing to the danger from mines. None of the district crews 

 proceeded to Lowestoft and Yarmouth. 



Fortunately, no lives were lost in connection with the industry, and 

 the loss of and damage to fishing gear and boats were not serious. 



Four steam trawlers were built at Dundee for English owners, and 

 four steel steam drifters were built at Montrose for Moray Firth crews. 



Coopers were regularly employed at good wages until the close of the 

 herring fishing. Meantime the most of them are engaged on a limited 

 scale at barrel making. Seven coopers are serving with the colours. 



Preparatory classes for the teaching of navigation were again con- 

 ducted at Ferry den, and most of the men who attended them were able 

 to obtain the Board of Trade Certificates. The barometers at Broughty 

 Ferry and Arbroath are in good order. 



Frederick Eraser, 



Fishery Officer. 



Fishery Office, 

 Montrose, 7th January 1915. 



Stonehaven District. 



Although the aggregate catch of fish landed for the year 1914 shows an 

 increase of 5210 cwts. in quantity and £1642 in value when compared 

 with the returns for the previous year, nevertheless the various branches 

 of the^industry cannot be said to have been prosecuted with any marked 



