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Appendices to Thirty-third Annual Report 



Board of Trade regulations, whereby their tonnage has been considerably 

 increased. A considerable number of steam fishing vessels working from 

 this port were taken over by the Admiralty for mine-sweeping and patrol 

 work. Three of the vessels have been reported sunk by mines, and are 

 not included in Appendix F., No. 3, as lost at fishing. 



The trawling industry during the year under review was, on the whole, 

 very successfully prosecuted up to the middle of August, and under 

 normal conditions several records would have been established in earnings 

 realised. Nevertheless, the earnings grossed by the largest vessels were 

 highly satisfactory, and those of the smaller trawlers have never been 

 I)etter owing to the great increase in prices since the outbreak of war. 

 The most outstanding feature of the year was the remarkably high prices 

 obtained for all kinds of fish, especially since the commencement of 

 hostilities, unprecedented figures having been reached. Another feature 

 has been the astounding decrease in the catch of haddocks, particularly 

 of the larger selections, amounting to 113,022 cwts. A further striking 

 feature was the enormous quantity of extra small haddocks and whitings 

 landed from early summer to the end of December. Notwithstanding 

 their smallness, they invariably realised very high prices, whereas in a 

 normal year they would have been often unsaleable. It was reported by 

 skippers that large quantities of these small fish were thrown overboard 

 after each drag in July and August, being considered unfit for market 

 use. During the summer months 1812 cwts. were sold for manure. It 

 is not an uncommon occurrence to hear skippers advocating a minimum 

 mesh for otter trawling, and even the haddock curers are getting alarmed 

 at the continued scarcity of the large sizes of fish suitable for curing as 

 " Finnons " and " Pales." Fewer extra-small-sized plaice were landed than 

 has been the case for some years past. In February and early in March 

 the industry was threatened with a scarcity of fish, but, fortunately, a 

 new fishing bank was discovered at Faroe shortly thereafter, 26 to 27 miles 

 S.E. by S. from Fuglo, which the fishermen named " New Klondyke." 

 The bank produced magnificent results until June, when the long day- 

 hght made fishing unprofitable, and the fish caught consisted chiefly of 

 codling and cod. Very httle was done at trawhng for herrings during 

 the year. Only one shot of 264 boxes was taken by means of the special 

 herring trawl net on the west coast off Tiree. All the other herrings 

 accounted for were taken by the ordinary white-fish trawl net. The 

 average price realised for trawled fish was l-Is. 3d. per cwt.. as against 

 12s. 4d. for 1913. 



The catch of fish landed from Faroe was the best experienced for 

 some time, exceeding the previous year's catch by 87,879 cwts. in quantity 

 and £52,707 in value. A feature of the year was the unusual scarcity 

 of haddocks from that area, codling predominating in most catches. 



As usual the Iceland fishing was conducted chiefly by German trawlers, 

 and up to the outbreak of war the season was one of the most prosperous 

 experienced since they commenced to land at this port. Only 11 local 

 trawlers prosecuted the fishing for about four months, and most of the 

 vessels engaged in wet salt curing voyages, which turned out fairly 

 remunerative. Landings from that area show a decrease of 18,728 cwts., 

 but an increase in value of £6266, compared with the catch for 1913. 

 Since September, Grimsby trav/lers have frequented this port more than 

 usual, and have landed some heavy catches from Iceland, otherwise 

 the results would have been different. The catch landed by foreign 

 vessels was 46,557 cwts. less in quantity and £10,655 less in value than 

 in the preceding year, which was wholly due to the stoppage of the fishing 

 for five months, as their catch at the 1st August showed the substantial 

 increase of 142,545 cwts. and £11,498. Only 2 shots came from the 



