of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



217 



demand for that product ceased, and consequently considerable stocks 

 remained on hand, and the construction has meantime practically ceased. 



Under existing conditions a good many of the fishermen of the district 

 now make a practice of engaging as hired hands on board of boats that 

 fish at Wick during the summer months. The large boats owned in the 

 district also operate from Wick at that season of the year. A large portion 

 of the earnings of fishermen are therefore now earned outwith the district. 



The harbour at Clyth, during the past two years, sustained consider- 

 able damage from severe south-east gales. Recently it was almost entirely 

 wrecked, and in its present condition it affords little protection for fishing 

 boats. Those men who make use of that harbour fish chiefly for local 

 consumption. 



Most of the men of the district connected with the fishing are well 

 advanced in years ; notwithstanding there are a few who are serving 

 their country in various capacities at this time of war. 



No loss of life occurred during the year in connection with the industry, 

 and very little loss of fishing gear was sustained. 



The fishery barometer at Lybster harbour is always in a good service- 

 able condition. 



James Ritchie. 



Fishery Officer. 



Fishery Office, 

 Wick, 5th January 1915. 



Wick District. 



This district continued to maintain its position amongst the leading 

 fishing centres of Scotland, chiefly through the importance of its herring 

 fisheries, although operations in August were greatly disorganised, and 

 conducted by a comparatively small fleet of boats on account of the out- 

 break of war. 



The catch of herrings was a third greater and the value one-fourth 

 less than in the previous year. With the exception of herrings, mackerel, 

 and lobsters, there is a considerable decrease in the quantities of all the 

 other classes of fish caught when compared with the figures of the preceding 

 year. 



- In this district the year under review couimenced with the most suc- 

 cessful winter herring fishing ever experienced. On the 8th January a 

 start was made by a few boats on the Orkney grounds. Southerly winds 

 compelled them to resort to the north coast of Sutherlandshire, and there 

 herrings of good quality were met with in abundance, and for two months 

 afterwards the fishing was regularly and successfully engaged in. 



A well-equipped fleet of 60 steam drifters and motor boats was at 

 work. The composition of that fleet, however, varied throughout the 

 season, as crews wrought between Stor noway and Wick, and while some 

 crews discontinued operations, others were fitted out. Exceedingly 

 favourable weather prevailed throughout the v/hole season. 



The shoals were met with in greatest abundance from Whiten Head to 

 Strathy Point, and so dense were they that considerable losses of netting 

 were incurred through weight of fish. To begin with, the fish were of good 

 quality, and continued so up to near the end of February. The season 

 opened with extremely high prices, but owing to the heavy supphes they 

 ultimately receded to a more moderate figure. During the season the 

 range was from 5s. to 80s. per cran, with an average of Ms. 8d. 



The landing of individual takes ranging from 120 to 160 crans was of 



