of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



1^1 



last year to British Columbia, where most of them found employment 

 as labourers, and a few abandoned the fishing for other occupations at 

 home. 



Most of the district fishermen were employed at the winter herring 

 fishing, which is usually carried on from January to March. Owing, 

 however, to stormy weather, operations were not commenced till the 

 third week of January. During the first part of the season herrings 

 were obtained in small quantities in the Firth of Forth. In February 

 and March the fishing improved, a considerable quantity of herrings 

 being obtained close inshore by means of anchored nets. The most 

 prolific grounds, however, were from off St. Monans to the May Island. 

 For the season, the catch amounted to 16,762 crans, against 15,512 

 crans for the corresponding season of the previous year. Throughout 

 the season there was a fair demand for herrings, and satisfactory prices 

 were obtained. The average price was 22s. 4d. per cran, compared 

 with 16s. per cran for the season of 1911. Most of the catch was sent 

 to market in a fresh state, only about 600 crans being cured. 



For the second year in succession the summer herring fishing showed 

 a large falling-off. Owing to the success of the fishing at Northern 

 stations fewer crews than usual prosecuted the fishing from this district, 

 and the catch, to a considerable extent, was made up by takes landed by 

 crews returning home for the week-ends. A few crews fished 

 regularly from the district, but there was an absence of herrings on the 

 usual fishing grounds. During August a few good takes were obtained, 

 but the shoal soon disappeared, and the season closed with a total of 

 5267 crans, compared with 10,253 crans for the season of the preceding 

 year. The herrings landed were, as a rule, of excellent quality, and 

 prices were generally at a high level. Most of the catch was cured for 

 exportation. As already stated, most of the district fishermen shared 

 in the success of the fishing at Northern stations during this season. 

 The earnings of the district steam drifters varied from .£540 to £1570 

 per vessel. The crews of sailing boats had also a successful season, a 

 few of the most fortunate having from .£700 to £900 per crew. 



Great-line fishing is gradually receiving less attention. The season 

 usually lasts from the beginning of April till the end of May, but owing 

 to the difficulty in obtaining coals, on account of the miners' strike, the 

 steam drifters did not commence operations till two or three weeks later 

 than usual. The season did not prove profitable, the greater part of 

 the earnings being absorbed by working expenses. 



Small-line fishing was prosecuted, as usual, from the smaller creeks. 

 The results were fairly satisfactory, especially during the last quarter 

 of the year, when codlings were in abundance. Haddocks, which 

 during the two preceding years had shown an increase, were scarce, and 

 the total catch was about 30 per cent, less than that of the previous 

 year. 



At St. Andrews the codling and plaice net fishing was interrupted 

 by stormy weather. The catch was about the same as last year. 



The crab and lobster fishing was again attended with satisfactory 

 results. The catch of lobsters was slightly greater than that of last 

 year, but the value was less. Crabs showed an increase both in numbers 

 and value. The quantity of mussels gathered for bait continues to 

 decline. On the other hand, there was a large increase in the quantity 

 of whelks gathered. 



The number of crews employed at sparling and sprat fishing on the 

 Tay continues to fall off. The catch showed a slight improvement on 

 that of last year. 



The autumn herring fishing on the English coast attracted 104 crews 

 from this district. The season proved a highly profitable one for all 



