xii 



Thirty-fourth Annual Report 



The smoking of haddocks was not curtailed to the same extent, the 

 quantity so cured being 77,658 cwts. as against 93,379 cwts. in the 

 preceding year. The large quantities of cod and other fish formerly 

 brought to Aberdeen from Icelandic waters by German trawlers were 

 almost invariably dried, while in 1915 the fish brought from Iceland 

 by our own trawlers were bought up for the fresh market, and in any 

 case the proportion of cod in the total landings was less than usual. 

 Haddocks, on the other hand, were comparatively abundant, and as 

 they are prepared principally for the home market they were able 

 to command a sufficiently advanced price to meet their extra cost. 



Persons Employed. 



The number of persons employed in the fisheries of Scotland and 

 the various industries subsidiary thereto in the year 1915 was 35,461. 

 Of these, 15,244 manned the fishing fleet, 3546 were gutters and 

 packers of herrings, 1926 were engaged in the carrying trade, and 

 the remainder were engaged in other operations connected with the 

 fishing industry. 



Whaling. 



The whaling stations in Shetland and Harris were idle during the 

 year, as operations in Scottish waters had been prohibited by the Naval 

 Authorities. 



Improvement of Fishery Harbours. 



The rate of progress in carrying out the improvements of fishery 

 harbours for which grants had been made was also affected by the 

 general conditions. Labour became scarce and materials dear ; and 

 with the consent of the Development Commissioners, in some cases 

 where work had not been begun, operations were postponed until the 

 return of normal conditions. Progress was, however, made in the 

 case of harbours where work had already been begun before the war. 



A Keport on these harbours by Mr. Gordon Nicol, M.Inst. C.E., the 

 Board's consulting engineer, will be found under Appendix M, p. 89. 



Appendices. 



Owing to the dislocation of the industry on account of the war 

 and the necessity for economy, it has not been deemed necessary to 

 print the whole of the Appendices in full as in normal years. 



