of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



18 



as valuable time is wasted when the speedy dispatch of the fish ought to 

 be the chief consideration. Before the operation of the control the fisher- 

 men were inclined to hang on to the fish in the hope of receiving a larger 

 price, and only sold when it suited their inclination. 



Probably no other section of fishermen follow the great-line fishing in 

 such large numbers during the spring months as do the Fifeshire men.* 

 Landings this year were made at Aberdeen and Shields, whichever port 

 was found most convenient. Favoured with good prices, several of the 

 vessels finished for the season with outstanding earnings. For a period of 

 11 weeks' fishing the most successful steam vessel was reported to have 

 earned £3600. Including stoker money the deckhands shared £1900. 

 Many of the motor boats earned from £1300 to £1600 for 10 weeks' work. 

 Although working expenses are heavier in great-line fishing than in herring 

 fishing, this is counterbalanced by the less expensive gear required. 



Owing to exceptionally stormy weather cod -net fishing was not prose- 

 cuted with the same success as in 1918. The season's catch amounted to 

 5037 cwts., valued at £13,416, as compared with 7720 cwts. and £37,715 

 in 1918. 



When the summer herring fishing was about to commence, the hired 

 hands belonging to Anstruther decided to strike unless an alteration in the 

 division of the earnings was made to bring it into line with the practice 

 at other ports. As the owners were not prepared to accede to the demands 

 put before them, over 30 steam and motor vessels were laid up. Although 

 various efforts were made to bring about an amicable settlement, these 

 for a time proved abortive. After the strike had lasted for nine weeks 

 the owners and deckhands held a conference at which terms were agreed 

 upon. The men gained their ends, and now work on the 18 shares principle 

 as against 20 previously. 



The St. Monans and Pittenweem crews were not affected by the strike, 

 and therefore fished as usual from the Aberdeenshire ports, where they 

 finished the season with poor results. 



A fleet of 35 steam and 57 motor vessels took part in the East Anglian 

 herring fishing, with moderate success. The earnings of the steamers 

 varied from £650 to £2300, while motor craft had from £370 to £1200. 

 The bad weather experienced on the English coast this season operated 

 more to the disadvantage of the motor than the steam vessels, with a 

 resultant difference in the average net earnings. 



From a financial point of view, small-line fishing proved a decided 

 success, especially to the crews in possession of motor boats. At 

 Pittenweem, where it is carried on with the greatest perseverance, fish 

 were found more plentiful than has been the case for many years. 



During November and December, 137 tons of sprats were landed at 

 Newburgh, and the whole quantity was sold to farmers for manure pur- 

 poses at £2 per ton. It seems these fish are of such small dimensions 

 that they possess no market value as an article of food. 



The crab and lobster fishing yielded sKghtly better results than last 

 year. Owing to continued stormy weather operations had to be suspended 

 earlier than usual. 



The supply of mussels obtained from the local beds was greater than 

 in the previous year. Opportimities exist for developing these beds to 

 greater advantage. There are considerable quantities of small mussels 

 on the seed beds, and if these were properly planted in the right places, 

 a greater supply would in course of time become available. 



Apart from the inconvenience felt during the railway strike, facilities 

 for the distribution of fish were considered fairly satisfactory and far sup- 

 erior to those at other places where local buyers conduct business. The 

 only complaint of loss through bad transport was made during the summer 



