vi 



Thirty -fifth Annual Ueport 



period, but the total quantity landed in the whole area was much 

 • in excess of that for the previous year. 



In Shetland waters a small fleet operated with good results 

 during March, and in the course of May a heavy fishing developed 

 somewhat unexpectedly. Curers were unprepared to deal with the 

 quantities landed, and on one occasion prices fell to 5s. per cran. 

 In the earlier part of the season prices at Shetland generally ruled 

 low, owing to the unsatisfactory outlook for the cured article, but 

 prospects improved later, and prices rose steadily until the fishing 

 closed in September. 



The East Coast fishing lasted from June to September, and 

 accounted for about one half of the total landings for the year. As 

 the bulk of the catch in the early part of the season was freshed 

 or kippered for the home markets, prices were not depressed as in 

 Shetland owing to the lack of demand for cured herrings, and 

 throughout the season they maintained a high level, Calms and 

 fogs interfered with operations, especially in the case of sailing boats, 

 but with the high prices ruling record earnings were made. 



During the last quarter of the year the steam drifters and other 

 large herring boats were more or less unemployed. Many proceeded 

 to the West Coast, but operations were only spasiAodic in various 

 lochs, and the majority of the vessels barely cleared expenses. 



The local motor fleets which fished in the Firth of Clyde had a 

 good year, making heavier landings than in 1915 or 1914, while 

 quality and prices were both generally good. Loch Fyne, however, 

 remained practically deserted. 



Scottish Boats in England and Ikeland, 



Scottish boats were not permitted to take part in the East 

 Anglian autumn fishing of 1916, and their earnings doubtless 

 suffered in consequence. A number, however, engaged at different 

 periods of the year in other fishings from English and Irish ports. 



Herring Curing. 



Presumably as a result of the rising prices of other food stuffs, 

 the demand for fresh herrings was much greater than usual during 

 the year, but even with this increased demand only about one-fifth 

 of the catch was disposed of fresh ; a somewhat similar quantity was 

 made into kippers or bloaters for the home markets, and a small 

 proportion was tinned. Eather more than half was pickled, includ- 

 ing quantities cured ungutted for conversion into "reds" or for 

 export to France. Uncertainty as to the demand for pickled 

 herrings discouraged curing early in the season, but good results 

 were realised in the Kussian market, and from the beginning 

 of July onwards prices all round rose in sympathy. 



Cured Herrings Exported. 



Practically all the herrings cured in pickle were, as usual, 

 exported. Owing to the favourable returns the bulk of the cure 



