2S Ajypendices to Thirty-eighth Annual Beport 



in which there were generally great numbers of fine young halibut, mostly 

 weighing from about a stone to four stones each. This improvement was 

 evident alike on the north-western grounds ofi the Orkneys and the 

 Hebrides, and off the Irish coast. An increased supply of fish was also 

 reported by trawlers that fished on the Faroe and Iceland grounds. 



Landings by steam liners totalled 115,678 cwts., valued at £254,735, as 

 compared with 5886 cwts., valued at £18,139, in 1918. 



Motor great-Hne boats landed 13,378 cwts., valued at £22,788, against 

 2313 cwts. and £6785 in 1918. Though the quantity of fish landed by 

 motor small-line yawls was only 13 per cent, less than in 1918, the value 

 decreased by almost 50 per cent. — £23,826, against £47,336. Fishermen 

 complain that with decreased earnings and increased cost of fuel, lines, and 

 bait, small-line fishing was not very remunerative last year. 



Sail yawls only contributed 1105 cwts., valued at £1449, to the landings 

 at Aberdeen, the value being almost 60 per cent, less than in 1918. Even 

 with the landings at the three Kincardineshire creeks, the total of white 

 fish landed by sail boats only amounted to 3775 cwts., valued at £5358. 



For the whole year the landings of herrings totalled 65,286 cwts., valued 

 at £42,226, as compared with 3165 cwts. and £3241 in 1918. The supply 

 was quite inadequate to the requirements of local kipperers, some of whom 

 confine their energies to this branch of the business all the year round. 

 Large quantities of herrings had, therefore, to be brought from other 

 Scottish and EngUsh stations, to be kippered, tinned, or made into red 

 herrings here. Very few herrings were cured for export. 



The quantity of cod, ling, etc., dry-cured in Aberdeen was much less 

 than in the previous year. There was an increase in the quantity of fish 

 purchased fresh for curing purposes, but a greater decrease in the imports 

 of partially cured fish from other countries. 



Towards the end of the year especially, sales of trawlers took place on 

 an extensive scale. The largest trawhng fleet owned here or in Scotland 

 was taken over by an English syndicate, but the headquarters of this 

 fleet will still be in Aberdeen. On the other hand, several owners resident 

 at other ports have sent part of their trawhng fleets to work out of 

 Aberdeen. The number of steam vessels working from this port, therefore, 

 promises to be at least equal to pre-war figures. There are now over 

 50 " Sabbath -observing " trawlers fishing from Aberdeen. These boats 

 are manned by ex-hne fishermen, and most of them are owned wholly 

 or partly by the skippers, or other members of the crews. 



The demand for fish meal and manure failed to keep pace with the 

 increased production, and the price of fish ofial fell by about 30 per cent, 

 as the year advanced. As yet the manufacture of glue from skins of 

 filleted fish, cod heads, etc., is hmited. The production of medicinal and 

 trade oils is, however, gradually approaching the pre-war output. 



The reconditioning of the fishing industry has led to great demand for 

 fish-curing premises, and it is now almost impossible to lease a fish- 

 house even at a greatly enhanced rent. Nearly thirty firms have to pack 

 on the market, where the charge is twopence per package with the 

 surrender of offal, which is a considerable source of revenue to the market 

 superiors. Sites for new fish -curing premises cannot now be got in reason- 

 able proximity to the market, owing to the objections of householders to 

 the smoke nuisance. 



Local ship and boat-builders had a busy year. Over thirty steam 

 trawlers and drifters were built in completion of Admiralty contracts, 

 and these vessels are now being handed over to ex-service fishermen. 



The local barrel factories were not properly reconditioned till the 

 autumn, so that the output of barrels was only moderate. 



During an autumn gale 2 trawl fishermen were washed overboard 



