of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



205 



from that occupation represents about one-third of the amount earned 

 by the district fishermen during the year. 



The exodus of men to herring fishing was not quite so great as in the 

 preceding year, but about 370 were absent from six to eight months in 

 this connection. That number included the crews of 21 boats belonging 

 to the district, while the remainder went as hired hands in boats from 

 Moray Firth and other East Coast ports. The district boats were 

 employed chiefly at Castlebay and Fraserburgh, leaving in May and 

 returning in September. A number of hired men were engaged on the 

 coast of England till November. 



Seventeen district crews averaged £145 at Castlebay, and nineteen 

 averaged £335 at Fraserburgh. Three steam drifters, registered in 

 other districts, but manned by Avoch men, averaged £900 at Lowestoft 

 and Yarmouth. 



The crews of boats and hired men earned an aggregate of £21,000 at 

 the different herring fishings. That amount exceeds the earnings of the 

 preceding year by £4000, and is about £3000 higher than the figure for 

 1910, which was one of the best recent years. The fishings at Fraser- 

 burgh and on the English coast contributed equal shares to the increase. 

 None of the district sail boats went South to the English fishing. 



From 200 to 230 fisher girls were arled as herring gutters and 

 packers. These left for different stations in May, and the majority 

 were employed till the close of the fishing at Lowestoft and Yarmouth. 

 The season was one of the most lucrative ever experienced, and in a 

 number of cases earnings were quite substantial. 



Fishing by means of cod nets was practised by three Avoch crews in 

 second-class boats, but the success attending their efforts was not such 

 as to induce a rapid expansion in that mode of fishing. There are, 

 however, evidences that the fleet will be slightly increased during the 

 ensuing season, as crews are taking steps to furnish themselves with the 

 necessary gear. 



The fleet of sail boats in the district underwent a further diminution. 

 Two first-class Avoch boats were sold to Wick district, and the crews 

 sought berths on board steam drifters. Cromarty, which at one time 

 could muster a numerous fleet of first-class herring boats, does not now 

 possess a single vessel. The last representative was sold at the close of 

 the year to Orkney district. The late owner of this boat was well 

 known as one of the most successful herring fishers on the coast, and he 

 is now able to retire with a competency. 



The drain on the district through emigration was comparatively 

 heavy. Fully a dozen men left for Australia and Canada, to be 

 employed in maritime callings. A number also went to reside per- 

 manently in Moray Firth towns. A number of steam drifters 

 belonging to other districts are manned entirely by district crews, but 

 neither steam nor motor power is yet used in any of the district boats. 



On the return of the Avoch men from the summer herring fishing 

 over 40 crews fitted out their second-class boats and commenced to fish 

 for sprats and small herrings in the Inverness and Beauly Firths. This 

 fishing continued till the close of the year. In contrast with the pre- 

 ceding year, when the supply frequently exceeded the demand, the 

 reverse was the case during the 1912 season. Though the fishermen 

 were most indefatigable in their search, no large shoals were located. 

 Herrings and sprats met with a ready sale at Inverness, where a 

 number of buyers had congregated. Several crews earned from £60 

 to £80. 



A portion of the fleet of yawls was employed through-out the year at 

 small-line fishing, but the maximum number (76 boats) was at work 

 only during the spring and winter months. The average catch for 6849 



