196 



Appendices to Thirty-third Annual Report 



dcfifree of success. Tlie herring fisliing was again a comparative failure ; 

 and the shell fisheries have decreased by £473, so that the earnings of 

 fishermen were below the average at most stations. 



There has again to be recorded a decrease in the number of fishermen, 

 boats, and extent of fishing material used, which is largely due to the 

 unprofitable results at almost all kinds of fishing conducted, especially 

 at Stonehaven, for a number of years past. Most of the young fishermen 

 have taken to labouring work, while many of the older men have obtained 

 employment at the local net factory. As the old boats get unseaworthy, 

 fishermen are not in a position to replace them with new ones. Un- 

 fortunately, the fishern\en have not been able to move with the times in 

 securing steam drifters. An effort has, however, been made to introduce 

 motor boats of over 36 feet of keel for line fishing. Fishermen have so 

 far been unwilling to take advantage of the offer made them by a few 

 local gentlemen, who have promoted small companies for their benefit 

 with the view of stimulating the industry, which is fast declining. 



In the early spring the usual start was made at the sail great-line 

 fishing, but the number of boats fitted out was the smallest that life ever 

 been employed. The fi^eet has shown a gradual falling off during the past 

 five or six years, and only five boats were engaged this season, which, 

 as usual, landed the bulk of their catch at Aberdeen, where better prices 

 were generally obtained than at home. Catches consisted principally 

 of cod, and the best fished boat grossed £280, while the average earnings 

 were about £170 for 10 weeks' fishing. The grounds frequented were 

 mostly from 50 to 65 miles S.E. from Stonehaven, and a good supply of 

 herrings for bait was regularly caught in that locality. In consequence 

 of the high prices ruling for herrings, an earlier commencement was made 

 at the summer herring fishing than fishermen at first intended. During 

 the month of June and the first fortnight of July the efforts of the crews 

 engaged were rewarded with a fair amount of success. They landed most 

 of their shots at Aberdeen, being attracted by the keen demand and good 

 prices. About the middle of July, however the fishing fell off, calm weather 

 prevailing, so that the herrings landed thereafter were mostly " overdays." 

 The fishing terminated, as it did last season, a comparative failure, and it 

 can hardly be said to have been affected by the outbreak of war, as the 

 boats continued to fish well throughout August. Considering the poor 

 quality of the herrings, prices were well maintained, averaging 17s. per 

 cran, against 25s. per cran for 1913. All the boats employed were sail- 

 drifters, and their earnings ranged from £150 to £220, averaging about 

 £176. Practically the whole of the season's catch was kippered and freshed. 



The small-line fishing produced slightly better results than in the 

 previous year, notwithstanding that fewer boats were employed, but 

 numerous shots landed by Gourdon motor boats helped to augment the 

 catch. Although the individual catches of fish secured were by no means 

 heavy, a redeeming feature was the exceptionally high prices reaUsed, 

 especially since August. The fish landed consisted chiefly of extra small 

 haddocks, which under normal conditions would have been unsaleable, 

 but during 1914 the demand was extraordinary good, no doubt owing to 

 the short supplies landed at Aberdeen. Women buyers from Portlethen 

 and Downies were the means of keeping prices at a high level. The 

 quantity of small young haddocks that have been on the coast since July 

 has been very remarkable, and to the astonishment of the fishermen they 

 have remained much longer on the inshore grounds than usual, as they 

 generally migrate about the end of November further to sea. The catch 

 and value show an increase of 1775 cwts. and £910, when compared with 

 the returns for 1913. The earnings made by the motor boats greatly 

 excelled those of the sail boats. 



