192 



Appendices to Thirty-first Annual Report 



of these fished from Scarborough and one from Grimsby. Owing to 

 the congestion, and to the lack of success at the former place, most of 

 the boats returned home after from four to five weeks' fishing. Returns 

 were extremely poor, some boats, indeed, having run into debt. The 

 gross earnings were from £12 to £260, averaging £84 10s. Damage 

 to gear was slight. 



Another large addition has been made to the Stonehaven net factory. 

 The proprietors have now formed themselves into a limited company, 

 and the business is being pushed more than formerly. It gives 

 employment at net-guarding to many of the old fishermen and fisher- 

 women in their own homes. 



The deepening of the basin at Stonehaven Harbour was commenced 

 in October. The contractors are Messrs. Kinnear, Moody, & Co., 

 Glasgow. Plant has been laid down to the value of about £2000. 

 The basin is being enclosed with a cement wall, the contractors consider- 

 ing that this plan w^ll be more expeditious than the employment of 

 divers would be. 



The two barometers in the district belonging to the Meteorological 

 Council are well kept, and in good order. 



James Donaldson, 

 Fishery Office, Fishery Officer. 



Aberdeen, lOth Januanj 1913. 



Aberdeen District. 



Although the value of the fisheries in this district shows increased 

 prosperity during the year 1912, the various branches of the industry 

 were, nevertheless, not quite so regularly prosecuted and generally 

 remunerative as in 1911. Stormy weather, scarcity of certain kinds 

 of fish, and the coal strike in spring, all told heavily against successful 

 catches and earnings. The total quantity and value of fish landed 

 (including the catch of foreign vessels) amounted to 2,474,470 cwts. 

 and £1,249,706, compared with 2,561,856 cwts. and £1,140,929 in 

 1911, thus showing a decrease in quantity of 87,386 cwts., but an 

 increase in value of £108,777, which constitutes a record year so far 

 as value is concerned. The decrease in the catch was mainly due to 

 fewer landings being made, and the increased value to the enhanced 

 prices realised for fish. Weather conditions interfered considerably 

 with steady fishing operations, and the loss and damage sustained by 

 vessels were the greatest experienced for years. 



The means of capture show very little change. A number of 

 trawlers were sold to foreign ports, and a number were wrecked. 

 These have been replaced by new vessels of a larger type with up-to-date 

 appliances, and by several second-hand vessels purchased from English 

 ports, so that the year's returns show an increase of only 4 trawlers and 

 £37,310 in value. Steam liners and drifters remain unchanged. 

 Sailing boat returns continue to exhibit declining figures in fishermen, 

 boats, and fishing gear, and this class of fishing vessel is fast falling into 

 disuse in this district, and will soon be extinct. 



With regard to the results of the trawling industry, the most note- 

 worthy features of the year were the increased landings made by 

 foreign vessels and the high prices obtained for fish. From home 

 waters, the vessels made 190 fewer landings than in 1911, but owing 

 to the high prices earnings were considered fairly good, especially by 

 the long-voyage vessels. The total catch of fish landed by home vessels 

 ghpws a decrease of 90,355 cwts, in quantity, but an increase of £83,077 



