VJ 



Thirty-fourth Annual Report 



any substantial development of the steam fishing fleet did not operate 

 to the same extent in the case of motor boats, and in some respects 

 gave an impetus to the installation of motor power. Substantial as 

 is the increase reported, it would undoubtedly have been much greater 

 but for the difficulty experienced by the makers in supplying and 

 installing engines. 



The following figures indicate the totals for the years 1914 and 



1915 :— 



Year 1914. Year 1915. Increase. 



East Coast ... 361 434 73 



Orknev and Shetland 38 42 4 



West Coast .... 295 335 40 



Totals ... 694 811 117 



The increase in 1915 occurred principally in the following dis- 

 tricts : — Eyemouth 7, Leith 14, Anstruther 7, Montrose 22, Aberdeen 

 15, Loch Broom 6, Loch Carron and Skye 18, Fort William 4, Clyde 

 area 9. 



On the opposite page we give a diagram showing in graphic form 

 the increase in the steam and motor fishing fleets of Scotland during 

 the last eleven years : the figures for 1915 represent the number of 

 vessels on the register, not the number actually engaged in fishing, 

 during the year. 



As contributors to the herring supplies power-propelled vessels 

 were, prior to the war, making a rapid advance upon the position so 

 long held by sailing vessels. The transition which is taking place in 

 this respect, exemplified in the following table, would appear to have 

 received a check during the past year, but the check is only an apparent 

 one, due to the causes already explained, and there is no doubt that 

 when normal conditions return, the advance will be strongly resumed. 



Table showing the Percentage of the Total Catch of Herrings obtained 

 by Steam, Motor, and Sailing Boats respectively in each year 

 since 1906 : — 



v Steam Vessels. Motor Vessels. Sailing Vessels. 



1 ' Percentage. Percentage. Percentage. 



1906 ... 31 — 69 



1907 ... 45 — 55 



1908 ... 50 — 50 



1909 ... 54 — 46 



1910 ... 56 4 40 



1911 ... 59 5 36 



1912 ... 61 6 33 



1913 ... 64 8 28 



1914 ... 74 7 19 



1915 ... 47 31 22 



