Fishery Board for Scotland. 



xxxvii 



In Leith district the summer fishing of 1883 was carried on East Coast 

 chiefly at Dunbar station, but herrings were frequently landed p^er 8 

 at Newhaven from other stations. The average number of boats — 

 which fished at Dunbar was 32, against 45 in 1882. The fish- Leith District, 

 ing began early in July and ended in the first week of Septem- BoaS er ° f 

 ber. A few good takes were got in Skateraw and Cove bays, but Fishing 

 the ground principally fished was from 20 to 30 miles off shore. Groun <is. 

 The average catch for the season was 82 crans per boat. In 1882 cVseason Cat ° h 

 it was 60 crans. 



Although Anstruther district has a large fleet of the finest boats Anstruther 

 in Scotland, only 15 remained to fish at home in 1883, the rest Dlstrict - 

 having gone to Shetland and other northern stations. The fishing f£* ^^othl^ 

 began about the middle of July, and closed at the end of August, stations. 

 The catch of the 15 boats engaged was 750 crans, being an average 

 of 50 crans to each. It was nearly all got about 20 miles east of 

 the Island of May, and the greater part was sold fresh, or cured ^3™^^ 

 ungutted. About the same quantity of herrings was landed at of May. 

 Anstruther by boats from Aberdeen and other places, driven by Boats came for 

 stress of weather to take shelter there. shelter. 



In 1883, 174 boats were engaged in Montrose district, being an Montrose 

 increase of 8 on the former year. The fishing began in the second District - 

 week of July, and closed in the first week of September, with an Average catch 

 average catch of only 88 crans per boat. In 1882 the average was of Season - 

 173 crans. Most of the herrings were caught 20 to 70 miles at sea, Weather 

 but owing to unfavourable weather the boats were only able to make Unfavourable, 

 about two trips a week to the fishing grounds. In the week ended 

 11th August there was appearance of large shoals of herring 

 upon the coast. Unfortunately, however, stormy weather kept the 

 boats in harbour the greater part of that time. The week ended 

 25th August was the most productive of the season. The ground Takes got in 

 then fished was from 5 to 16 miles offshore, and the takes g 0 t bestweek - 

 were from 40 to 95 crans per boat. 



In Stonehaven district 110 boats were employed last year, being Stonehaven 

 9 more than in 1882. The fishing began in the second week of Unfavourable 

 July and was continued for seven weeks ; but, owing to alternate wither™ 5 6 

 calms and gales of wind, it was very irregularly prosecuted. The retarded 

 average number of crans landed per boat for each week of the Flshery 

 season was 16, 13, 12, 12, 12, 45, and 5, respectively. On the 

 second last week, which ended 25th August, some boats got takes of 

 from 60 to 106 crans, on ground from 5 to 24 miles offshore. The 

 average catch for the year was 120 crans per boat. In 1882 Average catch 

 it was 157 crans. It was believed regarding this district, as well of Season - 

 as of Montrose, that the boats had gone too far seaward during Boats went too 

 the greater part of the season, and had thereby missed large shoals far Seaward, 

 of herring lying nearer land. 



The Aberdeenshire coast still yields the largest herring fishing Districts of 

 in Scotland, and it possesses the three excellent harbours of Aberdeenshire ' 

 Aberdeen, Peterhead, and Fraserburgh. The aggregate number 2m Boatg 

 of boats which fished in 1883, in the three districts where these Fished. 



