of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



11 



It is regretted that 28 fishermen lost their lives during the year. 

 The casualties occurred chiefly through the foundering of vessels at 

 sea or by men falling overboard. 



The total number of persons engaged in all branches of the 

 industry, including fishing, shows a falling off of 5650, being 65,327 

 as against 70,983 in 1920 (90,710 in 1913), the decrease being largely 

 in respect of drift-net fishermen. The majority of the persons engaged 

 in curing operations are women herring gutters and packers, and the 

 number employed during the year was 8733 as compared with 9403 

 in 1920. Employment in the manufacture of herring barrels was re- 

 stricted owing to the adverse markets for cured herrings, and only 1462 

 coopers were engaged during the fishing season as compared with 

 1738 in 1920. High costs of labour and material discouraged more 

 general employment, and the situation was rendered even more 

 unfavourable as the year advanced by the failure of the summer 

 herring fishing, and by labour disputes arising out of a proposal to 

 effect a further reduction in coopers r wages. During the year 535,902 

 barrels and 153,824 half-barrels were manufactured, as against 

 1,055,750 and 145,480 respectively in 1920. Employment in other 

 subsidiary industries was also restricted, and of quarter cran baskets 

 for instance only 12,460 were produced against 30,426 in the 

 previous year. 



CHAPTER III. 



THE HEEKIXG FISHERY. 

 1. General. 



The total catch of herrings in Scotland in 1921 amounted to 

 2,463,306 cwts. valued at £1,174,388, as compared with 3,155,165 

 cwts. and £2,244,680 in the preceding year. The falling off cannot 

 be attributed to any particular season, as the winter, early summer, 

 and great summer and autumn fishings alike show decided decreases 

 in both quantity and value. The proportions of the year's catch 

 landed by steam, motor and sail vessels respectively were roughly 

 43 per cent., 48 per cent, and 9 per cent., as compared with 66 per 

 cent., 29 per cent, and 5 percent, in 1920. The quantities of herrings 

 taken monthly in each of the fishery districts during the past year 

 are summarised in the following table, while the accompanying 

 diagram shows the quantities of herrings landed and the average 

 price per cwt. for each of the years 1900 to 1921. 



