2Y 



Appendices to Thirty-eighth Annual Report 



Motor engines have been installed in most of the suitable large sailing 

 boats, and also in a few of the smaller sized boats, while a number of 

 small sail boats that were used for fishing during war-time have now been 

 removed from the registry. Owdng to the rise in value of all fishing 

 vessels and fishing gear, the capital invested shows a large increase. 

 Only 2 large sailing boats l^^elonging to the district were employed at 

 fishing during the year compared with 185 in 1913. During the past four 

 years the number of motor boats owned in the district increased from 38 

 to 180, while, during the same period, the number of sailing boats declined 

 from 446 to 239. As showing the changes that have taken place in the 

 type of vessels engaged in herring fishing, the following table giving the 

 percentage of the catch of herrings landed by (1) steam vessels, (2) motor 

 boats, and (3) sailing boats in this district in the years 1910, 1914, and 1919, 

 may be of interest. 



Percentage of Herring Catch Landed by 

 Years. Steam Vessels. Motor Vessels. Sail Boats. 



1910 ... 33 4 63 



1914 ... 63 5 32 



1919 ... 48 46 6 



As already stated, herrings accounted for about 95 per cent, of the total 

 catch for the district. During the first quarter of the year about 2000 

 crans were landed from the West Coast fishing grounds. These herrings 

 were bought chiefly for kippering purposes. The principal fishing in 

 the district is, of course, the summer herring fishing. At the commence- 

 ment of the season the outlook was very gloomy indeed, for while it was 

 anticipated there would be a good demand for fresh and kippered herrings 

 in this country, it was evident to all concerned that the home markets 

 could only at the best absorb a small proportion of the catch. The 

 Continental markets for cured herrings were practically closed, and, while 

 curers were willing to risk purchasing herrings at a small price for curing, 

 they were not prepared in view of the uncertainty of finding a market to 

 pay prices which with the increased working expenses would enable the 

 fishermen to carry on the industry on a profitable basis. 



A small fleet commenced fishing about the middle of May, and so 

 long as only light catches were landed fair prices were paid for freshing 

 and kippering purposes. With increased landings prices fell, and at the 

 end of May the fishermen decided to stop fishmg for a fortnight. At 

 the same time they asked for a guaranteed price of £2 per cran. No 

 agreement was arrived at between the buyers and the fishermen, but the 

 fishing was resumed on the 9th June. On the following day a catch of 

 over 6000 crans was landed, and prices fell to from 5s. to 8s. per cran. A 

 number of crews again gave up fishing, but a few continued operations, and 

 only light takes were landed during the remainder of the week. In the 

 meantine the Government guaranteed in the event of the curers being 

 imable to dispose of their stocks of cured herrings, to purchase at 15th 

 September up to a total of 400,000 barrels upon terms which would enable 

 the curers to pay the fishermen prices for their herrings which were, in the 

 circumstances, considered reasonable by both parties. On 17th June, 

 however, 8000 crans were landed, and, as curers with their short staffs of 

 fish workers were miable to deal with this large supply, prices again fell 

 to as low as 8s. per cran. The fishermen again resolved to cease fishing 

 operations for a time. Negotiations were carried on between the fishermen 

 and curers with the view of having the fishing restarted, but without 

 success. Eventually at a joint conference of fishermen, fishbuyers, and 

 members of the Fishery Board, the fishermen agreed to resume fishing on 

 the understanding that curers would pay the prices for herrings which they 

 were enabled to do under the Grovernment Guarantee. 



