of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



36 



Cod -net fisLing during the spring months received considerably more 

 attention than previously, and the quantity landed and value realized 

 show increases of 1198 cwts. and £2389 respectively. In addition to the 

 landings by local crews, a considerable number of small takes were landed 

 by crews from the south side of the Moray Firth, who were fishing in the 

 vicinity of Tarbet Ness. Portmahomack was the principal centre, and 

 the fish were all despatched in a fresh state. 



Seven first-class sailing boats from Avoch were fitted out for the 

 summer herring fishing, and were employed chiefly at Fraserburgh, their 

 gross earnings ranging from £300 to £500 per crew. 



There was an increase of 7 in the number of motor boats belonging 

 to the district, 6 of which were acquired for line fishing. 



One new motor boat of 26-feet keel was built at Avoch for drift-net 

 fishing, and orders for a few others of similar size have been placed by 

 Avoch crews. 



Second-class sailing boats show an increase of 7, several being 

 bought from other districts for the prosecution of the herring fishing at 

 Inverness, but a further decrease of 5 in the number of first-class and 

 16 in the number of third-class sailing boats took place during the year. 



Lobster and crab fishing was not so actively prosecuted as during 

 the previous year, but there was a considerable increase in the output of 

 mussels as a result of the difiiculty experienced by line fishermen in adjoin- 

 ing districts in getting supplies elsewhere. 



Fortunately there was no loss of life in connection with the fisheries 

 during the year. 



William Sinclair, 



Fishery Officer. 



Fishery Office, 

 Lossiemouth, 11th January 1920. 



Helmsdale District. 



The results of the fisheries in the year 1919 show, when compared 

 with those obtained in the preceding year, a considerable decrease in 

 quantity, and a still more marked decrease in value. The total catch, 

 exclusive of shell-fish, amounted to 20,081 cwts., valued at £33,773, as 

 compared with 28,140 owts., valued at £68,999 for the year 1918. The 

 decline in quantity is attributable to the comparative scarcity of haddocks 

 during 1919, the quantity landed last year being 7894 cwts. less than 

 in 1918. The great difference in value is due to the abnormally high 

 prices which obtained during 1918, the average price per cwt. in 1919 

 and 1918 being 33s. 7d. and 49s. respectively. 



In the " Means of Capture " Returns a further increase in the number 

 of motor boats has to be recorded, 11 being added during the course of 

 the year. The total number of motor boats in the district is now 36. 

 Only one of the additional boats was new, the remainder being composed 

 of five which were purchased from other districts, and five locally owned 

 boats which had engines installed. As a result the fleet of sail boats is 

 steadily diminishing. Save for two third-class boats, all the additional 

 boats were second class. The increase in the number of motor boats 

 would probably be more rapid but for the considerable delay in the 

 delivery of motor engines. Another factor which is militating against 

 the increase of motor boats is the lack of suitable harbour accommoda- 

 tion. This state of matters exists especially at Embo. 



Belonging to this village, which contains the largest fishing population 

 of any creek in the district, there are only 2 small motor boats, and 



