19() A].ipendices to Thirty-first Annual Report 



Operations in connection with the great summer herring fishing began 

 on a small scale in the third week of May, a fortnight later than in the 

 previous two or three years. Fishermen, mindful of the severe lesson 

 taught by a too-early commencement in 1911, were by no means 

 anxious to have it repeated. A proposal, therefore, to establish a close 

 time until the 10th of June was generally adopted, but as English and 

 Shetland fishermen would not become parties to the agreement it was 

 never carried out. Still, the decision retarded for about a fortnight 

 the fitting out of numerous craft, and was the cause of some proceeding 

 to the West Coast and Shetland. It was therefore the first week in 

 June before the fishing could be said to be in full swing, and from that 

 time onwards to the close of the season operations were carried on 

 without interruption. Early-netted fish were considered riper and of 

 better quality than in previous years, and the colder weather which 

 prevailed contributed materially to their preservation when put into 

 cure. Towards the end of the last week of May a few curers had 

 started operations by curing for the Continental markets, and owing 

 to the keepable nature of the herrings the practice immediately became 

 general. This created a keen competition for the fresh article, with 

 the result that prices went up by leaps and bounds from a few shillings 

 per cran till as high as 44s. was reached, the average price for the season 

 being 24s. per cran, against 19s. 3d. in 1911. 



The catch for the month of May was 3132 crans, compared with 

 almost 20,000 crans in May of the previous year, the reduction being 

 mainly due to the close time in the beginning of the month. For the 

 third year in succession June produced the weekly record catch for the 

 season, and the total landed for that month was almost equal to that 

 of July, which is generally considered the best month of the season. The 

 season, though rather later in starting than in the previous few years, 

 closed earlier than usual. Herrings became scarce at the latter end of 

 August, and the fishermen, having had by this time a prosperous 

 season, took advantage of the bright prospects reported in connection 

 with the English herring fishing and repaired thither as soon as 

 possible. 



The season closed with a catch of almost 198,000 crans, or 5241 crans 

 in excess of 1911. The results were the more gratifying considering that 

 the close time agreement had diminished the fleet, and that the season 

 was six weeks shorter than that of the previous year. The catching 

 power was made up of an average of 145 steam drifters, 190 sail boats, 

 and 2 motor boats. The operations of the motor boats were very 

 irregular, there being three for one short period, and only one for most 

 of the season. It would therefore be invidious to make any comparison 

 with regard to the earnings of such vessels. The average earnings of 

 steam drifters were £982, while those of the sailing boats amounted 

 to the very satisfactory figure of £492. The favourable weather, and 

 the fact that the fishing grounds were comparatively near, contributed 

 greatly to the success of the latter, and by reason of their small outlay 

 and inexpensive maintainance, the net earnings, when divided, would 

 give a better share per man than would those of the steamers. Opera- 

 tions were carried on' chiefly from 25 to 50 miles off in a north-east and 

 north-east-by-east direction from Peterhead, and from these grounds 

 sail and steam vessels were able to reach the port almost daily with 

 small or large catches. This further assisted the quality of the 

 landings. 



It was noticeable that the herrings this year were not so fully 

 developed as in previous years, even at the height of the season, the 

 chief cause of this being doubtless the cold weather. This meant that, 

 so far as the cured market was concerned, the trade-markers had the 



