of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



V 



English steam drifters or liners which were fishing from Scottish 

 ports. If adjustments be made accordingly, the total number of 

 fishing vessels belonging to Scotland in the year 1919 is found to be 

 8124, of which 324 were steam trawlers; 872 steam drifters or liners, 

 1844 motor boats, and 5084 sail boats. The chart opposite, showing 

 the increase in the number of motor boats as compared with steam 

 drifters or liners, is prepared on this basis. 



The motor fishing fleet was again considerably augmented, and 

 a large number of orders, chiefly for the installation of engines in 

 existing boats, were still outstanding at the close of the year. The 

 demand for motor boats, however, especially of the largest size, was 

 slackening, since steam drifters were again becoming available, while 

 fishing generally was not so remunerative as during the war. Par- 

 ticulars of the motor fishing fleet are given in the following table, 

 together with a comparison with the year 1918 : — 



Year. 



1919 

 1918 



I.' Class. 

 Over 45' 30'-45' 



Keel. Keel. 

 . 578 293 

 . 432 247 



II. Class 

 18'-30' 

 Keel. 

 841 

 744 



III. Class. Total. 

 Under 18' 

 Keel. 

 132 1844 

 95 1518 



About 90 per cent, of the first-class motor vessels and 50 per 

 cent, of the others were owned on the East Coast. 



There was a large number of transactions in steam drifters during 

 the year, as fishermen readjusted themselves to peace conditions, and a 

 number of vessels were sold to England and abroad, so that the total 

 number belonging to Scotland was reduced by about 50 as com- 

 pared with the preceding year. The number of drifters or liners 

 actually fishing, however, increased fourfold. 



The number of trawlers working increased about threefold, while 

 the total number belonging to Scotland was greater by 11. 



The decrease in sail boats continued, especially in the largest 

 class of over 45 feet keel. Of these only 334 remained, and it is 

 doubtful if the majority will see much further service unless they are 

 fitted with motor engines. The most suitable have, however, already 

 been utilised for conversion into motor boats, and except in Shetland 

 sail boats of this type are practically obsolete. 



No steam vessels were built to the order of "fishermen or boat 

 owners duiing the year, although 22 of the trawlers and 20 of the 

 drifters which were built to Admiralty order were purchased and 

 utilised for fishing as soon as completed. The increase in the motor 

 fleet was effected mainly through the* conversion of sail boats, but 

 52 new motor boats, chiefly of 30 to 45 feet of keel, were built for 

 small-Hne fishing on the East Coast. Of sail boats the number built 

 was 55, and of these 32 were boats of the smallest size, i.e. under 

 18 feet, for use in hand lining in Orkney and Shetland. None ex- 

 ceeded 30 feet of keel. 



The monetary value of vessels showed a further marked increase 

 as compared with the preceding year, even after allowance is made 

 for the increase in the numbers working. The appreciation in the 

 value of fishing gear was still more marked, and the rising prices of 

 gear of all kinds presented a serious problem. 



