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Appendices to Fortieth Animal Report 



the line fisheries is steadily diminishing. Lobster fishing, however, can 

 be conveniently worked in conjunction with crofting, and receives con- 

 siderable attention during summer and autumn. The local fishery 

 interests, therefore, are not extensive, and Orkney is less seriously 

 affected by the present depression than most other districts. The 

 resumption of the herring fishing at Holm and Burray has not been 

 possible owing to the continued presence of obstructions laid down by 

 the Admiralty, notwithstanding numerous petitions for their removal. 



Shetland. — A few crews commenced herring fishing in a half-hearted 

 manner at the end of May, *and one local curer had the enterprise to 

 cure and consign to Hamburg a parcel of early June herrings, which 

 realised 950 to 1000 marks when the mark stood at 250 to 280 to the 

 pound sterling, and as a result a general commencement was soon 

 made. The coal stoppage favoured the local motor and sail boats, for 

 if steam drifters had frequented Lerwick as usual early in June 

 overproduction and a deadlock would have resulted. Herrings were 

 abundant on the grounds to the south-east, and the local fleet kept the 

 market well supplied for the first few weeks. Shetland curers too had 

 practically a monopoly of the Hamburg market in June, and a brisk 

 trade in matjes was done. Contrary to expectations, the season proved 

 one of the most lucrative ever experienced by the motor and sail crews 

 belonging to the district. Moray Firth boats also shared in the success. 

 By the time drifters were able to participate the German demand had 

 lessened and the mark showed signs of depreciating. Prices therefore 

 fell, until at the end of August spents realised only 5s. per cran when 

 the fishing closed. Steam vessels grossed £1300 to £1800, motor boats 

 £1100 to £2200, and sail £500 to £1170. 



Early in June the average price exceeded 30s. per cran, and before 

 the month closed as high as 54s. per cran was reached. When July 

 commenced herrings were selling up to 49s. per cran, but prices 

 gradually- fell to 203. and under in the closing weeks. The average for 

 the season was 24s. per cran. The fishing was one of the most intensive 

 ever experienced, and fishermen and shore workers were taxed to the 

 utmost in handling the heavy daily catches. The herrings, however, 

 had a starved appearance, and were so lacking in fat that on rousing 

 they shrivelled up and looked like spents, although milt and roe were 

 well advanced. Curers who opened stations at Scalloway, hoping to get 

 rich matjes, were disappointed, as the west side herrings were no better, 

 except a few catches from the vicinity of St. Magnus Bay. The season 

 at Scalloway was of short duration, as the local boats left for Lerwick 

 early in July. Curing stations were opened also at Baltasound, Hoswick 

 and Whalsay, but only one curer operated at each place. Only one 

 local boat fished from Baltasound, and the curer there was dependent 

 on landings by steam drifters fishing from Lerwick. 



Ten cargoes of " sprinkled " herrings were sent to Hamburg and 

 Altona, being the first so exported since the war. The spicing of 

 herrings was also resuscitated by Swedes, who operated both ashore and 

 afloat. One firm had a motor hulk anchored in the bay, and obtained 

 supplies of herrings from an accompanying steam drifter. The fisher- 

 men seemed unfamiliar with the Scottish drift nets and ruined them in 

 a few weeks by omitting to shake the herrings out while hauling. The 

 experience gained must have been costly, for the crew lost a second 

 fleet in a breeze. Before export to Sweden for tinning, the herrings 

 were gutted, and roused in a mixture of powdered salt, sugar, various 

 spices and bay leaves, and then were usually thrown loosely into the 

 barrels. One firm curing on shore packed after the Scottish fashion. 



