of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



10 



A considerable number of the large sailing boats at the various ports 

 have been discarded and broken up as unseaworthy, and very few of this 

 class are now left for the installation of motor power. 



A good many steam drifters have been sold at the Moray Firth ports 

 after having been reconditioned for fishing on their return from Naval 

 service at prices up to £6000 for first-class vessels. 



Very few steam drifters were built during the year, as almost all the 

 boat-building yards were busily employed on reconditioning work for the 

 Admiralty. 



On the West Coast the winter herring fishing was carried on with 

 fair success in the districts of Fort-Wilham and Stornoway until the end 

 of March, but at all the other districts situated in the Minch the results 

 were rather disappointing owing to stormy weather. The grounds 

 generally fished were between Stoer Head and Cape Wrath, and the 

 quality was good. The total catch for all the districts shows a decrease 

 in quantity of 61,797 crans, and in value of £398,058 when compared 

 with the preceding winter's figures. The average price reahsed per cran 

 was about 75s. against 92s. in 1918. Nevertheless, the earnings made by 

 steam drifters averaged about £2000, and by motor boats £1100. The 

 whole catch was kippered and freshed. 



The early summer herring fishing started in the beginning of April in 

 the districts of Fort-WilUam, Loch Carron and Skye, and Loch Broom, 

 but was not attended with such good results as in 1918. Fair catches 

 were obtained to start with, but the fishing fell off, and the stranger boats 

 all began to leave for the East Coast, which completely spoiled the season's 

 fishing. A few boats that remained on did remarkably well and received 

 high prices for their fish. The quahty of the herring was very poor at the 

 beginning of the season, but by the middle of June the quality had im- 

 proved, fine large matjes being taken. Almost the whole catch was sent 

 to the home markets in a fresh state or kippered, only a very small pro- 

 portion being cured. 



The Stornoway herring fishing opened early in May, and was a com- 

 parative failure until the end of June, by which time all the East Coast 

 boats had left to fish at their own home ports. The fishing was then carried 

 on by a fleet of about 60 local motor and sail boats, with fairly good success, 

 until the close of the season. The quality was of a mixed character 

 throughout, especially in May, when kippers were seUing as low as Is. per 

 box. The season's catch turned out better than expected, showing an 

 increase in quantity of 10,263 crans, but a decrease in value of £11,402 

 compared with 1918. The average price per cran was onl^y 44s. as against 

 78s. in the preceding year. The curing branch of the industry was carried 

 on on a very limited scale owing to the uncertainty of the market for 

 cured herrings, and the difficulty and expense of transporting stock. All 

 the best selections cured went to America, but the bulk of the matties 

 was branded and handed over to the Government. 



Owing to the inadequate facilities for carrying fish to market, a steam 

 drifter was chartered by a local syndicate to convey kippers, etc., to Kyle 

 and Mallaig, returning with smoking material and boxwood. The 

 terms of the (garter were understood to be £120 per week. 



In Barra district, the herring fishing was also rather unsuccessful 

 until the end of July, owing largely to stormy weather. However, in August 

 the fishing improved, and the few curers who remained on at Castlebay were 

 very fortunate in having a remunerative season. Local fishermen also 

 did fairly well. The quahty was on the whole good, and most of the 

 herrings cured were sold to America at satisfactory prices. 



In the Moray Firth, the summer herring fishing was prosecuted without 

 restriction for the firgt time §ince the outbreak of war. With the exception 



