of the Fishery Board for Scotland, 



46 



Begular fishermen who combine line with net fishing]exceededjpre-war 

 earnings. 



The transition from sail to motor propulsion went steadily on during 

 the war, and was accelerated during 1919. Twenty-one boats were added 

 to the motor fleet, 11 of these being first-class boats and 10 second 

 class. One was a new boat built in the district, and the others were 

 previously sailing boats belonging to the district. 



Herring fishing being the chief source of income, anxiety will probably 

 prevail until the Continental markets reach a state of comparative 

 stability. Curers are, however, apparently viewing the future hopefully 

 to judge from the renting of vacant curing-stations at Lerwick and else- 

 where. Practically all the Lerwick stations are now let. The staffs of 

 the barrel factories are being brought up to pre-war strength, and 

 machinery is again in action. All the coopers in the district were actively 

 employed at the close of the year. Barrel-making material is, however, 

 difficult to obtain, and curers are practically working from hand to mouth. 



The high cost of fishing-gear and stores of all kinds is causing fisher- 

 men some anxiety, and unless the upward movement is arrested it is 

 feared that fishing will become unremunerative. 

 I have the honour to be, 

 Sir, 



Your obedient Servant, 



Alexr. E. M'Kenzie. 



Fishery Office, 

 Lerwick, 1th January 1920. 



Stornaway District* 



The returns of fish landed in Stornoway district during 1919 show 

 decreases of 51,340 cwts. and £109,916 in quantity and value respec- 

 tively when compared with the figures for the preceding year. Herrings 

 account for the shortage, cod, ling, etc., showing increases. 



The Means of Capture Returns show an increase of 7 steamers, the 

 total number now belonging to the district being 18. Motors for large 

 sailing vessels are not favoured here, past experience of various types of 

 engines having had a decidedly deterrent effect, and consequently no 

 progress was made in the direction of converting sail boats of the largest 

 size. Those crews who installed motors in half -sized boats in the southern 

 section of the district, however, quite appreciate this mode of propulsion, 

 and Kelvin engines of 13-15 h.p. were installed in 2 more boats of this 

 type. The number of motor boats on the register remains the same 

 as in 1918, 2 boats having been sold outside the district. 



Results from the winter herring fishing were rather disappointing 

 both to the fishermen and the merchants handhng the fish. There was 

 not the same demand for kippered or fresh herrings as in the previous 

 year, this being partly accounted for by the fact that spent herriftgs 

 appeared much earlier than usual. Norway was a strong competitor, 

 and other food stuffs were becoming more plentiful. At the same time, 

 kipperers had a fairly satisfactory season, though the freshers made a 

 rather hasty exit from the port. 



The most successful steamer grossed about £3600, while the average 

 earnings were £1800. The motor boats averaged about £1100. The 

 season closed with a deficiency of 32-8 per cent, in quantity and 37*6 

 per cent, in value as compared with 1918. 



The summer herring fishing was as usual conducted chiefly by sailing 

 craft. During May the quafity was poor and markets bad, and kippers 



