208 



Appendices to Thirty-first Annual Beport 



Various trials were made at herring fishing throughout the period 

 extending from May to September. The most satisfactory results were 

 obtained in the month of June, the fish caught at that time having 

 been of very good quality. The entire catch of herrings for the whole 

 year amounted to only 256 crans. The total value was £273, giving an 

 average value of 21s. 4d. per cran. 



With the meagre earnings obtained at herring fishing in this district 

 for some years past, it cannot be expected that fishing craft and other 

 appliances can be maintained, renewal of worn-out craft and gear being 

 entirely out of the question. 



Most of the boats employed at herring fishing in the district are aged 

 and well worn, and cannot possibly last much longer. The outlook for 

 the future prosperity of the district is, therefore, not at all bright. 



At the periods of the year when line fishing was engaged in, very 

 satisfactory catches of cod, codling, and haddock were secured when 

 suitable weather prevailed. Good supplies of those fish were caught 

 upon the inshore grounds in the vicinity of Lybster and Clyth, and 

 some of the most persevering crews at Lybster had at times remarkably 

 good earnings. 



Unless some very unexpected change takes place, it would appear as 

 if the fishing of this district will, in the near future, be confined to line 

 fishing on a very moderate scale. 



Towards the close of the year one of the Lybster crews was provided 

 with a small motor-propelled craft for the purpose of prosecuting the 

 line fishing. There is little doubt of its success, so long as good 

 supplies of fish are to be got. After the first trip was made it was 

 discovered that the craft, which was an old ship's lifeboat, required to 

 be strengthened, an undertaking which occupied some time. Through 

 that, and stormy weather, it cannot be said to have yet had a very 

 satisfactory trial. 



There were very few coopers employed at barrel-making in Lybster 

 during the year owing to the fact that a considerable quantity of the 

 barrels made in 1911 were not then disposed of. It is not expected 

 that coopering will be engaged in to any great extent in the future, as 

 the arrangements made two years ago for its continuance have been 

 abandoned. 



Fortunately, no serious accident involving the loss of life or property 

 happened during the year in connection with the fishing industry of the 

 district. 



The fishery barometer at Lybster Harbour is in good order. 



Fishery Office, James Eitchie, 



Wick, Ath January 1913. Fishery Officer. 



Wick District. 



The most important feature of the fishing industry of this extensive 

 district during the year under review was the success that attended the 

 prosecution of the summer herring fishing at the port of Wick. 



The season's catch exceeded that of any previous year by 5236 crans, 

 and thereby formed an easy record. It is in point of value, however, 

 that it has the greatest advantage over all previous years, the 

 total value amounting to £223,000, which exceeds the previous most 

 remunerative season by £42,716. 



As in some recent years, an early start was made with the summer 

 herring fishing. The first landing took place on the 14th May, and 

 operations were continued for sixteen weeks, the season closing about 



