184 



Appendices to Thirtieth Annual Report 



of the previous year. As a rule, the herrings were of small size, and prices 

 ranged from 5s. to 38s. per cran, the average being 17s. 9d., while the 

 average price for the whole of the West Coast was 18s. 10d., as compared 

 with 21s. in 1910. 



Next in importance to herring fishing is the trawling branch of the in- 

 dustry, in which 328 vessels were employed. The value of these, together 

 with their fishing gear, is returned at £1,355,245. The three principal 

 ports from which trawling is carried on are Aberdeen, Dundee, and 

 Granton. In the number of vessels employed there was an increase of 8 

 as compared with the figures of the previous year. In contrast to previous 

 seasons, very few vessels were laid up during the summer of 1911. For 

 several seasons back the demand for white fish in July and August has 

 generally fallen oft* and prices became unremunerative. Last summer, 

 however, there was a good demand for all kinds of white fish, and the 

 vessels kept working without a break. Trawling shows every sign of being 

 in a fairty prosperous condition, and from the demand which is likely to 

 set in for white fish on the Continent, and which will ultimately have a 

 bearing on the Scottish markets, the prospects as regards prices are 

 particularly bright. 



For a short period during each of the past three years a small fleet of 

 vessels — chiefly Granton craft — prosecuted the fishing from Oban, but their 

 landings, owing to the limited waters and scarcity of fish on the grounds, 

 were unremunerative and the enterprise had to be given up for a time. 

 On the other hand, Blyth, at which place some five years ago a commence- 

 ment was made at herring fishing, has recently been opened as a trawling 

 port. To foster a large trade the harbour has been considerably improved, 

 and a new fish market, offices, and ice stores erected. During the year 

 about a dozen vessels were employed, and from the success which attended 

 their operations a considerable addition is expected to be made to the fleet 

 during the current year. From the elaborate arrangements which have 

 been made, and the excellent facilities provided for the discharge, packing, 

 and despatch of the fish to market, there is every prospect of a further 

 development of the industry at that port. 



Taking into consideration the interruptions caused by stormy weather 

 during the winter and autumn months, and the fact that fewer fishermen 

 are now employed than formerly, the line fishing on the coast of Scotland 

 may be said to have been prosperous during the year, the returns showing 

 an increase in the catch of 107,171 cwts. and £40,047 in value. The 

 increase appears to be general on the Fjast Coast, for at practically all the 

 stations, with the exception of Anstruther, there was a marked im- 

 provement in the catches obtained. The West Coast returns, however, 

 show a different state of matters, there being a decrease of 11,000 cwts. and 

 £2751 in value, due to a scarcity of white fish on the coast and to fewer 

 boats having been employed. In Orkney and Shetland section the increase 

 amounted to 21,000 cwts., and the landings consisted chiefly of haddocks. 



Steam line fishing was prosecuted on both the East and West Coasts on 

 a much larger scale than formerly. At Aberdeen, besides the ordinary 

 fleet of liners, 22 trawlers were fitted out with lines during the summer ; 

 several of these vessels prosecuted the halibut fishing on the west coast of 

 Ireland, but, unfortunately, the venture did not prove remunerative. 



At several of the ports on the coast the boat-building industry continues 

 in a fairly prosperous condition. Altogether 230 boats were constructed, at 

 a cost of £384,683. Sixty-seven of the vessels built were steam drifters, 

 32 were trawlers — 12 of which were for foreign countries — while the 

 balance consisted chiefly of third-class boats of 18 feet of keel and under. 

 In two of the districts — Cromarty and Lybster — no boats were constructed. 

 Although many of the fishermen recognise that the drifter built of steel is 

 the strongest, most durable, and serviceable for all kinds of fishing, the 



