of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



227 



but work has been slacker since. Their work consists principally of 

 repairs, and the building of small, open boats. 



There were no serious casualties to the fishing fleet, but one fisherman 

 lost his life through being knocked overboard by the sail. The damage 

 to boats and the loss of fishing material were exceptionally light. 



The teaching of navigation to fishermen and boys continues to receive 

 great attention, and classes are still taught at a number of centres 

 throughout the islands. 



The fishery barometers are in good order, and are well attended to. 



The work in connection with the new harbour extension is progressing 

 favourably, and should be finished m the spring or early summer. 



R. DUTHIE, 



Fishery Officer, 



Fishery Office, 

 Lerwick, ^th January 1915. 



Stornaway District. 



The herring fishing is the principal branch of the industry in this 

 district, and it is carried on, mainly by stranger craft, practically the whole 

 year round. At one time there used to be an interval between the seasons, 

 but now there is none, except for a short time in April and May. 



The returns for the spring or winter fishing constitute a I'ecord for 

 quantity, exceeding the previous year's figures by 6714 crans. On the 

 other hand, however, there is a decline in value of over £19,000, due to 

 the inferior quality of the herrings taken in 1914. It is not easy to deter- 

 mine why one year's fish should be better than another's, still the fact 

 remains. The best week produced 32,202 crans, while the highest week's 

 catch in 1913 was 19,591 crans. In the former year the herrings were 

 taken in the Minch from Cellar Head to Kebboch Head, and in the latter 

 the fishing grounds were between Tiumpan Head and the Butt of Lewis. 

 As usual, some crews were much more successful than others, the earnings 

 ranging from £100 to £500 per boat, averaging about £270 for the season. 



The early summer herring fishing was conducted by a much smaller 

 fleet than was engaged during the first quarter of the year, stranger craft 

 preferring to fish on the East Coast and at Shetland. Thfe results, when 

 compared with the preceding year's, show a decrease in quantity of 3325 

 crans, and in value of £13,375. This shortage in quantity was more than 

 offset by the landings during the great summer and autumn fishings, which 

 exhibit an increase on the catch of 1913 of 11,166 crans. The increase 

 in value was, however, only £4560. Taking the year as a whole the records 

 show an increase in weight of 49,700 cwts., but a decrease in value of £28,098 

 when compared with the preceding year's figures. 



The gross earnings of the drifters for the year ranged from £600 to 

 £2010, the average being about £950. One east coast drifter grossed 

 £1310 at Stornoway, exclusive of the months of June and December, 

 when she fished from other ports. One local motor boat earned £780 

 during the summer and autumn fishings, while another grossed £397 from 

 May 23rd to August 19th. As a rule sail boats fish only in the summer 

 season. The best boat grossed £493, while the least successful craft made 

 only £40. The average price for the vear was 17s. 4d. per cran, as against 

 24s. Id. in 1913. 



Mackerel were very plentiful, but there was little demand for them, 

 ^nd considerable quantities were consigned to the sea again. The catching 



