xxxiv 



Thirtieth Annual Report 



Dabs, Megrims, and Witches. 



With the exception of 32 cwts., all the megrims and witches landed 

 were captured by trawlers. The combined catch of the two species 

 was 30,522 cwts., valued at £30,376, as compared with 33,675 cwts. 

 and £30,253 in 1910. Both species were involved in the decrease in 

 quantity, but the increase in value was referable to megrims, which 

 commanded an average price per cwt. of 18s. 5d., as against 15s. Id. 

 in the preceding year. 



Dabs are also taken chiefly by trawlers, although not to such a 

 preponderating extent as in the case of the other two species, nearly 

 25 per cent, of the total catch, which amounted to 13,721 cwts., valued 

 at £4914, having been taken by lines. These figures show practically 

 no variation from those of 1910. 



Turbot and Brill. 



There was a further decline in the supply of turbot during 1911, 

 the total catch, which amounted to 4505 cwts., falling short of that 

 of 1910 by 482 cwts., and the value, which was £15,296, by £2385. 

 With diminished supplies, an increase in price might have been looked 

 for, but this did not occur, the average price per cwt., which was 

 £3 7s. lid., having been 3s. less than in the preceding year. In so 

 far as this valuable fish (which also is taken almost entirely by 

 trawlers) is concerned, Aberdeen has to yield first place to Granton, 

 where slightly more than 50 per cent, of the catch was landed, as 

 against 42 per cent, at the larger port. The brill is a rare fish in 

 Scottish waters, and during the year under review only 148 cwts., 

 which realised £361, were landed, as compared with 293 cwts. and 

 £761 in 1910. 



(c) SKATES, SQUIDS, AND UNCLASSIFIED FISH. 



The quantity of skates and rays landed in 1911 was 146,306 cwts.. 

 valued at £34,215, of which steam liners contributed 83,922 cwts., 

 valued at £19,261, and sailing liners 12,856 cwts., valued at £2788. 

 As compared with the preceding year's totals, there was an increase 

 of 6291 cwts. in quantity, and of £2913 in value, due wholly to the 

 greater vigour with which steam-line fishing was prosecuted during 

 the year under review. The bulk of the catch, by both trawl and line, 

 was landed at Aberdeen, although, as regards line-caught fish, Fort- 

 William and Stornoway districts also figure prominently. 



Of squids, 233 cwts., which realised £73, were landed, as against 

 865 and £481 in 1910. These decapods were landed by trawlers, and 

 were utilised as bait. 



Unclassified fish consist chiefly of lythe and bream. In 1910 the 

 total landings amounted to 4986 cwts., valued at £984, of which the 

 Stornoway sailing liners accounted for 3385 cwts. and £527. The 

 previous year's catch was 8821 cwts., valued at £1444, from which it 

 will be seen that a considerable decline took place in 1911. 



The following table shows the catch and value of fish (exclusive of 

 shell-fish) taken by the different methods of fishing since 1902 

 inclusive : 



