of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



203 



able addition has been made to the new breakwater, quay-walls are in 

 course of construction, and excavations inside the new works are in 

 progress. The harbour, when finished, will greatly add to the accom- 

 modation of the port, and to the convenience of the drifter-owners by 

 enabling them to winter their vessels at home. 



The returns of white fish landed in the district during the year under 

 review show a decrease of 9082 cwts. in the quantity landed, but an 

 increase in value of £5633, when compared with the returns of the 

 previous year. The decrease in quantity was due to the comparatively 

 poor results obtained at herring fishing at Inverness during the latter 

 months of the year, while the increase in value was the result of the 

 improvement in the cod-net fishing and the higher prices prevailing 

 for herrings. The value of fish landed in the district (£34,400) 

 represents, however, only a small fraction of the aggregate earnings of 

 the district fishermen. The large majority energetically prosecute 

 herring fishing for the greater part of the year at the various stations 

 around the British coasts, and from this source their earnings during 

 the year exceeded a quarter of a million pounds sterling. Results in 

 the early part of the year were discouraging, the Irish fishing proving a 

 failure ; but with a successful season at the Scottish and English fishings 

 the fishermen had, on the whole, a prosperous year. 



Sixty-seven steam drifters took part in the Irish fishing, their 

 earnings ranging from £30 to £350, with an average of £120 per vessel, 

 which was less by fully £30 than the average expenses incurred. 



On the Scottish coast 119 steam drifters, 4 motor, and 93 sailing 

 boats were employed. Steamers' earnings ranged from £500 to £1500, 

 the average being £1000 ; motor boats earned from £500 to £700, the 

 average being £600, while sailing boats had from £250 to £700, with 

 an average of £450. 



At the English fishing 116 steamers, 2 motor, and 10 sailing boats 

 were employed. The earnings of the steamers ranged from £350 to 

 £1100, the average earnings for each class of vessel being estimated at 

 £700, £400, and £300 respectively. 



The means of capture returns show a decrease of eight in the total 

 number of boats, and of 410 tons in the tonnage. Only five steam drifters 

 were added to the fleet, while the number of first-class sailing boats 

 shows a reduction of 17. Second-class boats show an increase of five, 

 due to the successful haddock fishing last year. There was no addition 

 to the number of motor boats. 



During the summer herring fishing herrings appeared to be scarce on 

 the local fishing grounds, and the landings were practically confined to 

 week-end arrivals at Lossiemouth from the Wick and Orkney grounds. 

 The quantity landed was slightly less than during the previous year, 

 but the quality generally was much more satisfactory, particularly 

 during the early part of the season, which resulted in the value showing 

 a fair increase. 



At Inverness the herring and sprat fishing was prosecuted during 

 the first three and last four months of the year by 50 crews belonging 

 to Avoch, Campbeltown, and Nairn, with rather poor results, but 

 owing to the fish being of better quality than those landed during the 

 previous year fairly good prices ruled, with the result that the value for 



Fishery Office, 

 Buckie, '^th January 1913. 



James Stewart, 



Fishery Officer. 



Findhorn District. 



