208 



Appendices to Thirty-third Annual Report 



fishing purposes, and the returns show a decrease from the previous 

 year of 3951 cwts. in quantity and £354 in value. Prices fluctuated con- 

 siderably, ranging from lOd. to 2s. 3d. per fish, the average being Is. 4d. 

 per fish. Two firms conducted curing operations, and dealt with 2749 

 cwts. of wet fish and 537 barrels of pickled cod. The bulk of the landings 

 was dispatched in a fresh condition to the home markets, principally 

 London and Glasgow. 



As in former years the fleet of steam drifters fitted out early in May for 

 the summer herring fishing, and proceeded to the various centres on the 

 West Coast, Orkney, and Shetland, remaining there with an occasional 

 visit home until the outbreak of war. When hostiUties broke out early 

 in August, the operations of the district fleet, whose prosperity depends 

 entirely upon the herring fishing, were brought to an abrupt close, by the 

 calling up of the Naval Reserve forces, to which a large proportion of the 

 crews of these vessels belonged, and all the arrangements made for the 

 season's work were dislocated. After that the vessels returned home to 

 await developments, and a few of them subsequently made a trial on the 

 English coast at great risk to themselves, owing to the waters there 

 being strewn with mines. On 28th August the Buckie drifter " Barley 

 Rig," B.C.K. 145, unfortunately struck a floating mine while fishing off 

 Scarborough, and was blown up with the loss of 5 members of the crew. 

 This accident put a stop to fishing by fishermen of this district on that 

 coast. 



The summer herring fishing at home was begun in the middle of May 

 by a few sail boats which remained to try the Moray Firth fishing grounds 

 before leaving for other stations. Their success was only partial, and the 

 bulk of the herrings was landed by steam drifters coming home for 

 week-ends. The total catch amounted to 5261 crans, against 5401 crans 

 for the previous year. Only one direct shipment of cured herrings was 

 made to the Continent, the bulk of the cure being sent coastwise by 

 steamer to Aberdeen and Leith for exportation. 



The number of boats employed at small-line fishing varies according 

 to the seasons of the year. In the months of October, November, and 

 December of this year, 1 steam drifter, 2 motor boats, 14 large, and 

 from 30 to 50 small boats were employed throughout the district. The 

 quantity landed shows a slight decrease from the previous year, but high 

 prices were obtained for haddocks, which compensated for any short- 

 coming in the catch. In some instances 40s. per cwt. was reached, while 

 the average price for the year was 18s. 8d. per cwt., compared with 15s. Id. 

 in 1913. 



The English herring fishing season, which is looked upon by the fisher- 

 men and others concerned as a great factor in their year's earnings, was this 

 season almost entirely suspended owing to the outbreak of war, only 6 

 steam drifters and 1 motor boat proceeded to that coast, while in the 

 previous year 276 steam drifters, 9 motor, and 60 sail boats comprised 

 the district fleet. The earnings of the steam drifters employed this season 

 ranged from £400 to £500, while the motor boat earned £350. 



The boat-building trade was unusually brisk during the year, 14 steam 

 drifters were launched in the district, while 4 others are ready to launch, 

 but in the meantime are delayed owing to the outbreak of the war. 



Navigation classes continue to be held throughout the district, and at 

 an examination of fishermen in March certificates were granted to 4 extra 

 masters, 21 masters, and 39 mates. The young fishermen are taking full 

 advantage of these classes every opportunity they get, and are very 

 anxious to obtain their master's certificates. 



The war, which broke out when the herring fishing was at its height, 

 has had a most detrimental effect in this district. The fishermen were 



