of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



169 



APPENDIX L. 



KEPOKTb BY THE INSPECTORS OF SEA FISHERIES AND 

 DISTRICT FISHERY OFFICERS. 



1. — Inspectors of Sea Fisheries. 



General Inspector of Sea Fisheries. 



Notwithstaudiug frequent interruptions by stormy weather, the 

 various branches ot" the fisheries were carried on during the year 1912 

 with a large measure of success. l^isliermen in particular benehted 

 greatly owing to the high prices which prevailed. 



In the means of capture, the number of resident fishermen shows a 

 decrease of 598 as compared with the previous year. Of this decrease, 

 the East Coast accounts for 236, Orkney and Shetland 143, and 

 the West Coast 219. A number of these men have emigrated, while 

 others, owing to the uncertainty of the inshore fisheries, and the cost 

 and upkeep of boats and gear, have turned their attention to vocations 

 offering steadier employment. To meet the deficiency, upwards of 400 

 men — drawn from various industries — were necessary for the manning 

 of the craft during the great summer herring fishing season. 



In boats, exclusive of trawlers, there was a decrease of 297 as com- 

 pared with the previous year. To this decrease the East Coast contri- 

 buted 132, the West Coast 139, and Orkney and Shetland 26. 

 Although the decrease on both the East and West Coasts pertains 

 chiefly to second and third class boats, the disappearance of the large 

 sailing craft is annually becoming more marked. The transition from 

 sail to steam is largely due to the net fishings being prosecuted at a 

 greater offing than formerly. Only three first-class sail boats of over 

 45 feet of keel were built for Scottish fishermen during the past five 

 years, while no less than 198 steam drifters, at a cost of £417,590, were 

 added to the fleet during the same period. 



In the steam drifter fleet there is an increase of 30 vessels. It was 

 not anticipated that the progress which was made with the 

 building of these vessels in recent years could be maintained. 

 Although the number of first-class boats fitted with auxiliary 

 motor power did not come up to expectations, the progress made 

 with the installation into boats of the skiff class has 

 been very satisfactory. Daring the year, 123 boats, 63 per cent, 

 of which belonged to the West Coast districts, were fitted with 

 motors. In Campbeltown district practically ail the boats employed 

 at herring fishing have now been fitted with motor power. For West 

 Coast skiffs, the ''Kelvin" motor of 8-10 horse-power is the one mosr 

 favoured. The cost of this engine is £65, although in the more 

 recently-built skiffs, motors of 15-20 horse-power are being installed. 

 Since the introduction, five years ago, of the motor as a means of pro- 

 pulsion for fishing craft, no less than 356 boats have been supplied with 

 the installation. The value of these boats is returned at £108,033, as 

 compared with £39,513 three years ago. 



The number of barrels manufactured was 1,751,000, being an in- 

 crease of 62,000 compared with the returns of the previous year. In 



