iv 



Thirty-fourth Annual Report 



British Fishery is of great importance to this Kingdom as it not only 

 adds considerably to the national wealth but is moreover a fruitful 

 nursery of able seamen for the public service, etc." That was more 

 than a century ago ; yet it is questionable whether its truth was ever 

 more vividly exemplified than at the present time. 



There are engaged in the service of the country over 1000 steam 

 fishing vessels belonging to Scotland, manned by over 10,000 Scottish 

 fishermen, all engaged in the branch of service for which they are best 

 adapted. In addition to the men serving on these vessels upwards 

 of 7000 fishermen were, by the end of 1915, serving in other 

 branches of the Navy or in the Army, so that more than half of the 

 total number of Scottish fishermen are directly engaged in national 

 service. 



The withdrawal of so many of the best men and vessels from the 

 industry was bound to have a great effect on the amount of fish landed, 

 quite apart from the restrictions on fishing areas which the Naval 

 Authorities, in the interests of the defence of the Realm, felt con- 

 strained to impose. 



In this connection we desire to acknowledge the friendly and 

 sympathetic spirit in which all reasonable representations by the Board 

 and by fishermen were received, considered, and, where possible, 

 conceded by the Naval Authorities. 



The following statement of facts must be read in the light of the 

 foregoing remarks. 



The sea fish of all kinds landed within the year amounted to 

 2,319,390 cwts., of the value, including shell fish valued at £58,294, 

 of £2,109,465. This is a decrease in value as compared with the 

 preceding year of £1,099,071 and in quantity of 5,120,931 cwts. It 

 must, however, be borne in mind that 1914 had seven months of pre- 

 war conditions. 



This result was obtained by 4653 fishing vessels manned by crews 

 numbering 15,244. 



We have already taken steps to collect information and consider 

 the best means of assisting the fishing industry of Scotland back into 

 normal conditions upon the cessation of war. 



We give on the opposite page in summary form the means of 

 capture employed and the resultant catch since 1898. 



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