xxxiv 



Thirty -first Annual Report 



The East Anglian season of 1912 was remarkable for its early start, 

 premature close, and the unprecedentedly heavy landings during its 

 currency. But still more astonishing was it that, no matter how 

 heavy the landings, it seemed impossible to create a glut, so 

 absorbent were the Continental markets. As a result, the unusual 

 combination of heavy catches and high prices was maintained practi- 

 cally throughout the entire season, the only break occurring when 

 stocks of barrels were for the time being completely exhausted. 



The loss of gear, through fouling, and the sinking of nets owing to 

 the weight of the fish, was again heavy, but these losses are 

 almost inevitable in the East Anglian fishing, owing to the restricted 

 area in which the fishing is carried on. In 1912, for example, it is 

 calculated that the greater part of the enormous catch landed at Yar- 

 mouth was caught in an area of only from ten to fifteen miles square. 



The fleet which proceeded to the Irish fishings comprised 244 

 steamers, 5 motor, and 9 sailing boats, as compared with 223 steamers, 

 2 motor, and 12 sailing boats in 1911. The total catch amounted to 

 103,030 cwts., which realised £33,808, as against 264,931 cwts. and 

 £65,339 in the preceding year. It is apparent from these figures that 

 the season was a poor one, and this was reflected in the earnings, 

 which did little more than cover the expenses incurred. Strangely 

 enough, the steamers were much less successful than either motor or 

 sail boats, the average earnings of the three types of vessel amounting 

 to £128, £221, and £170 respectively. In 1911 steamers earned on 

 an average £281 and sailing boats £159. 



FISH USED FRESH. 



The estimated quantity of fish sold for consumption in Scotland in a 

 fresh state, or despatched fresh from Scotland, during the year 1912, 

 will be found under Appendix C. 



The returns show that approximately 1,908,000 cwts., or 22 per 

 cent, of the total quantity landed, were thus disposed of, the species 

 which figure most prominently being, in order of importance, haddocks, 

 cod, and herrings, which together constituted over 61 per cent, of the 

 total supply. It is worthy of remark, as showing the extent to which 

 the three species referred to predominate in the total catch, that 

 although they bulk so largely in the fresh fish returns, the quantities 

 consumed in that condition represent only 45 per cent., 33 per cent., 

 and 6 per cent, respectively of the total quantities landed. Other 

 prominent contributors were skates and rays (144,010 cwts.), whitings 

 (74,767 cwts.), and ling (72,340 cwts.). 



Practically all the flat-fish landed is consumed fresh (the only ex- 

 ceptions being witches and megrims), and the returns in their case are 

 therefore practically identical with those in Appendix B (Fish Landed). 

 For particulars of the quantities cured, reference should be made to 

 Appendix D, No. I. 



