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Appendices to Thirtieth Annual Report 



weather set in. With a high temperature the goods are at any time, when 

 in course of transport, liable to be move or less affected, even under hatches, 

 but in the case of deck cargoes it is absolutely disastrous. The heat also 

 checked the consumption of herrings on the Continent, as during its con- 

 tinuance no forwarding to the interior could be done. (3) The unsatis- 

 factory state of the foreign markets in May and June was due to the large 

 stocks of the previous year's early cured herrings and winter West Coast 

 and Irish herrings on hand. Owing to the inferior quality which was 

 launched upon the markets in the early part of the season, buyers bought 

 only limited quantities for immediate use. They were waiting for herrings 

 of a more keepable nature, and as soon as those arrived on the market a 

 more healthy tone prevailed. 



When gluts of immature herrings are thrown upon the markets and 

 prices recede to a mere nominal figure, the question of a close time is 

 invariably spoken of. On several occasions during the past 20 years the 

 fishermen themselves have demonstrated against the capture and landing 

 of these immature herrings, and, although a few days respite was generally 

 agreed upon in order that the markets might recover, the destruction is 

 annually becoming greater. In the interest of all concerned, and especially 

 for the good name of Scottish herrings, a more practical step ought to be 

 taken in the matter. Apart from the shoals being broken up and the 

 supplies in July and August — when the herrings are properly matured and 

 of a keepable nature — being greatly diminished, it would be well if the 

 folly of landing these immature fish, which is profitable neither to fisher- 

 men, curer, nor buyer, were seriously considered, and a voluntary close 

 time adopted. For those fishermen who have large capital at stake it 

 would no doubt be a matter of hardship to lay up their vessels, but surely 

 better employment could be obtained for them either at herring fishing on 

 the West Coast or at line fishing. 



The steam drifter may be held responsible for the constantly changing 

 character of the season. This early fishing would never have assumed 

 its present dimensions were it not for the expensive type of vessel 

 employed. Since their introduction the tendency has been to open each 

 season earlier than the preceding one. 



In July and August, in consequence of the short supplies, there was 

 generally a good demand at advancing prices. The average price on the East 

 coast was 20s. 7d. per cran, and in Orkney and Shetland 22s. 3d., as compared 

 with 18s. lOd.and 20s. 4d. respectively during the corresponding months 

 in 1910. In Shetland, owing to the superior quality of the herrings 

 landed in August, prices on several occasions reached as high as 33s. to 

 35s. per cran. At these prices there was little margin of profit left 

 to curers. 



Although a good many of the steamers earned during the season from 

 .£1000 to £1400, the average would probably be from £750 to £850. 

 Every season it is becoming more difficult to estimate with any degree of 

 accuracy the average earnings of these vessels at any given port, owing to 

 the fact that few stick to one port all the season through. For instance, 

 one of these vessels during the early part of last summer proceeded on two 

 occasions direct to Hamburg from the fishing ground with her catches, 

 which realised £117 and £178 respectively. The earnings of the sail boats 

 show little variation from those of the previous year, several having 

 grossed — particularly in some of the more northern stations — from £500 

 to £600. 



Of the total landings of herrings on the Scottish coast, 58*2 per cent, 

 was secured by steamers, 36"4 per cent, by sail boats, 5'1 per cent, by 

 motors, and 3 per cent, by trawlers. 



A new feature of the herring fishing industry last season was the large 

 quantity of herrings taken by trawlers, Altogether there were landed — > 



