of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



30 



During the first few weeks the takes were generally light, and all the 

 herrings landed were kippered and freshed. 



At this date the gloom which overshadowed the industry was dispelled 

 by the Government guarantee scheme for cured herrings, which worked 

 satisfactorily to the end of the season, and saved this most important 

 industry from collapsing. 



Curing was begun during the first week of July, and after that date the 

 principal curers discontinued kippering and devoted their whole attention 

 to pickling. The quality of the herrings landed during July and the first 

 fortnight of August was generally very fine, and as the landings were 

 never too heavy for the curers to cope with, the herrings as a rule were 

 cured in splendid condition. 



Herrings were occasionally landed at Whitehills and Portsoy, as well 

 as Macduff, all being cured gutted. 



For the season the total catch was 6723 crans, compared with 3217 

 crans in 1918. 



Of this total, 2482 crans were kippered, 6652 barrels were cured gutted, 

 and the balance freshed. Of the quantity cured, 6397 barrels received 

 the " Crown Brand," 131 were branded Grade 2 ; and 65 barrels Grade 3. 



The bulk of the herrings kippered and freshed was consigned to 

 London, Glasgow, and the Midlands, and, as the returns were usually 

 good, kipperers and freshers had a fairly good season. 



The greater portion of the cured herrings was exported direct to 

 Germany, 3696 barrels being sent to Konigsberg, and 1165 to Stettin ; 

 the balance was sent by rail to Aberdeen for exportation. 



After the close of the summer herring fishing, 62 steam and 27 motor 

 drifters proceeded to England and participated in the East Anglian fishing. 



Stormy weather, however, greatly interfered with fishing operations, 

 and a considerable amomit of fishing gear was lost. 



The minimum price of 45s. per cran, however, helped to compensate 

 fishermen when the supplies were good, and on the whole they had a 

 profitable season. The average gross earnings of steam drifters were about 

 £1500 and of motor boats £850. 



The boat-building trade was brisk throughout the year, but, owing 

 to the builders at Banff and Macduff being busily employed on Admiralty 

 work, refitting and building steam drifters, they were unable to undertake 

 many orders for fishing boats. 



The total number of drifters launched during the year to the order 

 ofthe Admiralty was 3, while 9 motor boats of from 35 to 45-feet keel were 

 built for fishermen for line fishing. 



During the early part of the year, barrel -making received little atten- 

 tion, as at that time few coopers had been released from the Army. During 

 the latter part of the year, however, all the coopers available were employed 

 at barrel-making at Macduff, Whitehills, and Portsoy. 



The loss of fishing gear at the Scottish fishings was above the average, 

 and at the East Anglian fishing was serious, and many of the poorer fisher- 

 men will have great difficulty in replacing their nets, owing to the high 

 prices now prevailing. Fishermen attribute the loss to the exceptionally 

 stormy weather experienced, and to the weak condition of their nets, owing 

 to deterioration while the fishermen were on active service. 



The losses during the year included also a large motor boat, sunk in 

 collision with a drifter, while fishing 28 miles off Lowestoft. Fortunately 

 there was no loss of life. 



A. J. MUNRO, 



Fishery Officer, 



Fishery Office, 

 Buckie, 12th January 1920. 



