of the Fishery Board for Scotland, 



14 



engaged in throughout the year, so that shore workers were fully em- 

 ployed. Of the 32,965 crans kippered at Eyemouth, over 22,000 were 

 brought from other EngHsh and Scottish ports. 



The means of capture for the EngUsh section of the district do not 

 call for any special remark, the changes being unimportant. In the 

 Scottish section 2 steam drifters were added to the fleet. The transactions 

 in motor boats left the total number the same as before but with a higher 

 value. 



The summer herring fishing was, as usual, opened at North Shields in 

 the beginning of May, and at the other stations shortly afterwards. At 

 the ports from Eyemouth to Craster the fishing up to the end of July was 

 practically a blank. At Eyemouth the total landings for the 11 weeks 

 were only 1679 crans. As a consequence boats left for North Shields 

 and other ports, while a few crews turned to Hne-fishing for a time. Con- 

 sidering the large fleet at North Shields, the catch was only fair, for although 

 there was an increase on the previous year's catch, the average per boat 

 was about the same. On one occasion there were 136 steam drifters in 

 this port. From the beginning of August to the third week in September a 

 fairly successful fishing was landed at all the stations. Not for some years 

 has the fiishing continued to so late a date at the northern ports, such as 

 Berwick and Eyemouth, where the season generally closed in the fijst 

 week of September. The highest number of boats fishing at one time was 

 215, as compared with 139 in 1918. The most successful week yielded 

 12,660 crans, fairly divided among all the stations. The total catch was 

 91,059 crans, as compared with 60,950 crans for the previous season. Prices 

 ranged from 5s. to 126s. per cran, with an average of 45s. 4d. per cran, as 

 against 91s. lOd. in 1918. The fishing grounds were, as formerly, N.E. 

 and S.E. of the Fame Islands. For a short time the sourthern area was 

 restricted owing to the presence of mines. About half the catch was 

 kippered. 



During the season 8068 barrels of herrings wef6 cured for export. The 

 Government guarantee was no doubt an incentive, as was also the fact 

 that occasionally the supplies were in excess of the kippering demands, so 

 that curing prices ranged around about 20s. per cran. The bulk of the cure 

 was sold privately. With the exception of a few barrels for the home 

 markets the cure was exported to the Continent. 



As stated, more attention was given to the herring fishing, with the 

 result that Hne-caught fish decreased considerably in quantity and value, 

 only 21*5 per cent, of the total landings being referable to this branch 

 of the industry, as against 65*2 per cent, in 1918. In haddocks there was 

 a decrease of 5939 cwts. in quantity, and of £25,232 in value. The highest 

 take was 20 boxes. The fishing grounds extended southwards to the 

 Fame Islands, where some of the best takes were secured. Prices ranged 

 from 4s. to lis. per stone, with an average of 48s. Id. per cwt., as compared 

 with 66s. 8d. in 1918. 



The shell fisheries were fairly successful, the value constituting a 

 record for the district. Crabs reahsed from lis. to 27s. per barrel of 

 about 50. 



Barrel making was mostly confined to three firms, about half the 

 stock being for outside orders. The prospects for the year are fair. 



Boat-builders were actively engaged throughout the year in installing 

 motor engines in sail boats and also in building motor yawls. 



Six boats at the Irish herring fishing had fair success, their earnings 

 ranging from £157 to £1050, with an average of £549. 



Forty-two crews prosecuted the autumn herring fishing at Yarmouth. 

 The earnings of the motor boats averaged £750, and of the steam drifters 

 £1628. The highest earnings were £1340 for a motor boat, and £2500 for 



