of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



165 



The reasons for this are various : — 



(1) It appears the bulk of the French boats catch their herrings off the 

 coasts of Scotland and England, first about Peterhead and Aberdeen, next 

 in the area from about Montrose to St Abbs' Head, and finally near 

 Yarmouth ; (2) they carry salt free of duty, and can sell the surplus of 

 their catches free of duty at British ports ; (3) they land their fish in 

 France free of the import duty of 10 francs per 100 kilog., and free of 

 the salt duty of 10 francs per 100 kilog. 



9. Belgium. — The trade in the capital is almost a monopoly and little 

 could be done to establish a market without the co-operation of the 

 limited number of fish merchants in whose hands it is. Scotch-dried 

 herrings are almost unknown, and the smoked fish come almost 

 exclusively from Holland. There are three sorts of Dutch-smoked 

 herrings : — one slightly smoked, preferred in Brussels and in the Frencli 

 provinces ; a highly smoked variety, sold in the Walloon districts ; and 

 the third moderately smoked, known as the ' Hareng dore,' and which 

 appears to be increasing in favour all over Belgium. It is stated that 

 fish salesmen both in Brussels and Antwerp appear to be ready to 

 introduce Scotch herrings, provided they are full of roe, and not split, 

 but left whole, and cured as nearly as possible in the way of the Dutch 

 fish. The general opinion seems to be that fish in barrels will not sell ; 

 hampers or similar light packing being recommended, each containing from 

 100 to 200 fish. In the height of the season about 800,000 herrings 

 packed in this manner reach the Brussels' salesmen weekly. The gross 

 price realised for the best Dutch varies from 8 francs per hamper of 200 

 fish in the beginning of the season (about August) to about 5-J francs 

 later ; about 10 per cent, may be deducted for carriage, commission, 

 &c. Ostend is supplied chiefly with Dutch-salted herrings, prices running 

 from about 35 to 40 francs per barrel of 130 to 140 kilog. The 

 significant statment is made that ' It would appear a considerable amount 

 4 of Scotch fish find their way indirectly into Belgium vid Holland, 

 * where the barrels are unpacked and the contents mixed with Dutch 

 { fish and repacked in light hampers or boxes.' — Of the total of 10,365,775 

 kilos, of herrings imported into Belgium for home consumption in 1886 

 (and valued at 3,834,000 francs) 1,983,543 kilos., of the value of 

 733,911, francs came from the United Kingdom, and not less than 

 7,599,634 kilos., valued at 2,811,865 francs came from Holland. The 

 hold of Holland in the Belgium herring market is no doubt chiefly due 

 to its propinquity, but there can be little doubt that the greater care taken 

 in the assortment, &c, to meet the local requirements have something to do 

 with it. It is stated that the summer months "would be an unfavourable 

 time for the sale of Scotch herrings ; and that September would be the 

 best month. 



10. Netherlands. — It appears there used to be at one time a fairly good 

 market for Scotch herrings in Holland ; now only a few hundred barrels 

 come into the market early in the season, before the Dutch fish are ready. 

 The Dutch fish are stated to be much superior in quality to the Scotch, 

 owing to the fact that they are cleaned and slightly salted on board the 

 cutters immediately on being caught. The new Dutch herring craft are 

 large and furnished with every appliance ; they cost about £1800 each, while 

 a good Scotch boat costs about .£200.* The question of increasing the 

 demand for Scotch herrings lies in a nutshell : — (1) the Scotch curers 

 must either compete by reducing the prices for the quality they now 

 supply, (2) or they must supply a quality at least equal to the Dutch- 

 cured fish. 



* A good Scotch herring boat costs from £250 to £300. 



