188 Appendices to Thirty-first Annual Uepori 



concerned. Herrings were obtained in abundance, and the market 

 continued in a healthy condition. The gross earnings of the district 

 steam drifters varied from £400 to £1320. The earnings of motor 

 boats were from £430 to £600, and sailing boats earned from £160 to 

 £480. The loss of fishing gear was less than usual, but, unfortunately, 

 two men lost their lives at Yarmouth through falling overboard. 



Boat-building was practically at a standstill during the year, only 

 three small boats being built in the district. Coopers found fairly 

 regular employment, and, as the stock of barrels at the close of the year 

 was exhausted, steady employment will be ensured for some time. The 

 net factories in the district were fully employed. 



The fishery barometer at Cellardyke, which was broken during the 

 year, was replaced by a new instrument. The other barometers in the 

 district are in good order, and all are now in charge of careful observers. 



William Keir, 



Fishery Office, Fishery Oficer. 



Anstruther, ith January, 1913| 



Montrose District. 



The chief features of the fishing industry in this district during the 

 year 1912 were the failures of the herring and sprat fisheries. The 

 shortage in the former branch, when the catch is compared with that of 

 the previous year, was 8737 crans, and in the latter 3048 crans. Alto- 

 gether the year's aggregate return of white fish landed reveals the 

 somewhat large decrease in quantity of 52,597 cwts., but in value of 

 only £6055, when contrasted with the returns of the preceding year. 



On the face of these figures, it is obvious that the general results were 

 unfortunately very unsatisfactory, and particularly was this the case to 

 fishermen and shore workers. 



The most interesting appendix in the district means of capture returns 

 is that pertaining to motor fishing craft. Eight boats were installed 

 with motors during the year, and several others are meanwhile having 

 them fitted in. The popular motor boats in this district are those 

 known as haddock skiffs, or yawls, which vary in length from 40 to 45 

 feet over all, and usually carry a crew of four men. At the creeks of 

 Johnshaven and Gourdon this style of boat has been doing remarkably 

 well at small-line fishing. 



A limited liability company has recently been formed at Johnshaven 

 for the purpose of acquiring motor fishing boats, and the project has 

 already taken practical shape. Only a few of the large first-class 

 boats are suitable for the installation of the powerful motor engines 

 required for them, and the boats of this class which have auxiliary 

 motor power have, so far, not been an unqualified success in some 

 respects. The Alpha and Gardner make of engines have hitherto been 

 the favourites, but other firms are now competing successfully against 

 those types. 



As already stated, the herring fishing was, comparatively speaking, a 

 complete failure. A proper commencement was not made at this 

 fishing until the 1st of July (almost a month later than in the previous 

 year, when the results of the June fishing were not advantageous to 

 either curers or fishermen). The few herrings which were caught 

 previous to the first week of July were nearly all matties, for which the 

 demand at that time was limited. The waters from 15 to 80 miles 

 were regularly and assiduously fished, but no shoals of any consequence 

 were struck until the week ending the 3rd of August, when a fine 



