31 



Appendioes to Thirty-eighth Annual Report 



Buckie District. 



The most important feature in connection witli the fishing industry 

 during the year under review was the release of the majority of the district 

 fishermen and drifters from Admiralty service. 



At the close of 1918, there were 250 steam and 12 motor drifters on 

 Government service, and of these 183 steam and 11 motor boats were 

 released during the ye'ar, thus bringing the Means of Capture nearer its 

 normal condition than it has been since the commencement of the war. 

 Another outstanding feature in connection with the " Means of Capture " 

 is the great reduction in the number of first-class sail boats and the increase 

 in the number of first-class motor boats. 



The former shows a decrease of 123, compared with the number 

 returned in the previous year. Of these 52 were fitted with motor engines ; 

 11 were sold out of the district, and no fewer than 60 were broken up 

 owing to their having become unseaworthy during the time their owners 

 were on active service. 



Owing to the majority of the district fishermen being employed 

 exclusively at herring fishing from the chief herring fishing centres of Eng- 

 land and Scotland, the value of fish returned as landed in the district, 

 although higher than in 1918, represents only a small proportion of the 

 fishermen's earnings. 



It is estimated that the gross earnings of the crews who followed the 

 herring fishing throughout the year amounted to close on £1,000,000, 

 but, owing to the heavy working expenses at the present time, the aggregate 

 net earnings would not amount to much more than half that amount. 



Considering the amount of fish landed by district fishermen at other 

 centres, the quantity landed at home ports was by no means unsatisfactory, 

 being more than double that landed in 1918 ; the actual increase in the 

 quantity landed is 65,550 cwts. 



Owing to the prices being controlled, the total value, notwithstanding 

 the large increase in the landings, was only slightly greater than in the 

 preceding year. 



Herrings were chiefly responsible for the improvement, showing an 

 increase of 53,789 cwts. in quantity and £13,190 in value compared with 

 the returns of the previous year. Haddocks also exhibit an increase of 

 4552 cwts. in the quantity, and £7342 in value. Cod and codling, on the 

 other hand, whilst showing a considerable increase in quantity, fall short 

 in value to the extent of £10,065. 



During the opening months of the year, cod -net fishing received most 

 attention. The number of boats which participated in this fishing was 

 76 (2 steam, 38 motor, and 36 sail), compared with 73 (4 steam, 31 motor, 

 and 38 sail) in 1918. 



Buyers had a fair season, but from the fishermen's point of view the 

 results were not so satisfactory as in the previous year, for although the 

 quantity of cod landed was 3894 cwts. more, the value was £22,557 less. 



The average price per cwt. paid for net-caught cod was 52s. 4d. com- 

 pared with 97s. lid. in 1918. The fish landed were all sent in a fresh 

 state to the home markets, chiefly to London and Midland towns. 



At the close of the cod -net fishing fishermen set about getting their 

 boats and gear ready for the summer herring fishing. This fishing will 

 long be remembered by all concerned as one of the most unique and 

 critical in the history of the fishing industry. 



The fishing was begun at Buckie during the week ending 17th May 

 by a few crews who operated in the Moray Firth, from 10 to 16 miles N.E. 

 of Buckie. The herrings landed at this early date were immature, but 



