i86 



A total of 222,955 barrels of cured herrings was shipped via Leith 

 by the weekly trading steamers in the course of the year, and carried 

 principally to German and Russian ports, the export showing a decrease 

 of nearly 10,000 barrels as compared with the shipment of the pre- 

 ceding year. 



Although the weather was generally breezy and unsettled during the 

 summer, and occasionally very stormy in winter, the loss of life at sea 

 in connection with the fishing industry was, fortunately, not as heavy 

 as usual, and the loss in vessels and fishing gear was comparatively 

 light. 



Two important schemes for the extension of existing harbours were 

 under consideration at the close of the year. At Leith it is proposed 

 to enclose, for a fishery harbour and other purposes, the area of sea, 

 comprising about 120 acres, lying immediately to the west of Leith 

 Harbour entrance, and adjacent to Newhaven, at an estimated cost of 

 about £200,000 in its first part, but the scheme, it is expected, will be 

 further extended in the course of a few years, and may, in its entirety, 

 cost upwards of £500,000. The other is the construction of a break- 

 water, quays, and other works at Portseaton. 



The returns of fish landed show that t"he fisheries of this district were 

 attended with a fair amount of success during the year 1912. Com- 

 pared with the previous year, they show a falling-ojff in quantity, but 

 in value a considerable increase. The falling-off in the catch was 

 entirely due to the less successful summer herring fishing, which showed 

 a shortage of 17,450 cwts. The higher prices that were paid for 

 herrings during the winter season accounted for the increased value. 

 In addition to the local fishings, the district fishermen participated 

 largely in the success of both the summer herring fishing at Northern 

 stations and the autumn herring fishing on the English coast. For 

 the industry in general, the year under review proved one of the most 

 remunerative experienced for a number of years. 



For some years tlie number of sailing boats owned in this district has 

 been gradually falling off, while the number of steam fishing vessels 

 has shown a steady increase. No less than 30 sailing boats were 

 removed from the registry during the year, a considerable number of 

 these being boats of from 50 to 55 feet keel, and a number of old sailing 

 boats that are still on the register were unemployed, difficulty being 

 experienced in finding crews to work this class of boat. Motor engines 

 were installed in five sailing boats, and three steam drifters were added 

 to the district fleet. Of the five motor engines, two were fitted in large 

 and three in small boats. The small motor boats were almost 

 exclusively employed at small-line fishing, and the success which 

 attended this experiment is likely to lead to a further development of 

 the district inshore fishing. 



The returns also show a falling-off in the number of resident fisher- 

 men, which is chiefly referable to the station of Buckhaven. Fifty 

 years ago about 100 boats were fitted out for herring fishing from this 

 station. The fleet has gradually dwindled, until this year only five 

 boats were employed, and the number of fishermen shows a cor- 

 responding decrease. About twenty young fishermen emigrated during 



James Ingram. 



Fishery Office, 

 Leith, 30th January 1913. 



Fishery Oficer. 



A nstruther District. 



