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Appendices to Thirtieth Annual Report 



Since the introduction of the steam craft for herring fishing the large 

 sailing boat is being more rapidly displaced than could have been imagined by 

 those closely connected with the industry, and during the year under review 

 a larger number thau hitherto was struck off the various registers as unservice- 

 able. On the other hand, there was a considerable increase in the number of 

 steam drifters, and at the close of the year orders were being freely placed 

 for more, chiefly for steel-built craft. These cost from £3000 to £3400, as 

 compared with £2500 to £2800 for wood-built craft. A number of 

 small motor boats were added to the various registers during the year. 

 These are proving most serviceable for haddock fishing, especially in Shetland 

 waters. Their utility is being appreciated by fishermen, and it is admitted 

 that a more general use of this kind of craft would enable line fishermen to get 

 more frequently to sea, and with greater safety. Very few motors have been 

 installed in large sailing boats. These cost about £600 or £700, including 

 the necessary structural alterations. As yet this craft has not given good 

 results to Moray Firth fishermen, who have such long runs to make before 

 the distant and most prolific grounds can be reached. On some parts of the 

 coast where the fishing grounds can be reached from 20 to 40 miles off, 

 these large motor boats have been more successful. 



As in the preceding year, an early commencement was made at herring 

 fishing in Shetland waters, and a very large portion of the early catch con- 

 sisted of immature and unkeepable fish. During the month of May over 

 70,000 crans were landed, the average price being 8s. 6d. per cran, as com- 

 pared with 86,000 crans, at an average price of 15s. 6d. per cran, for the 

 corresponding period in 1910. Herrings were perhaps more abundant at 

 this early period of the season than usual, but there was such a poor demand 

 for this class of fish on the Continental markets that many of the fishermen 

 frequently remained on shore rather than fish at the prices obtainable. By 

 the beginning of June the quality had considerably improved, and the total 

 for that month was 133,500 crans, at an average price of 19s. per cran. 

 During July the fishing was a comparative failure, and the average price was 

 30s. 4d. per cran. Good results were obtained during the month of August. 

 By the beginning of September the fishing had practically closed with a 

 shortage of 76,000 crans in quantity, and £56,000 in value, as compared 

 with 1910. As in the preceding year, the bulk of the catch was landed and 

 cured at Lerwick. In the beginning of the season a small fleet of steam and 

 sail vessels fished from Unst with considerable success. By the beginning of 

 July the season had closed with a shortage of over 7000 crans as 

 compared with 1910. Much better results were obtained by district fisher- 

 men fishing from "Whalsay and Sand wick. The gross earnings of these for 

 the season ranged from £200 to £700. The number of vessels engaged in 

 the district fluctuated to an unusual extent. In the beginning of July 774 

 were at work. Of these, 561 were steam and 213 sail. An outstanding 

 feature of the season was the direction and wide range of fishing operations, 

 and the uncertainty of the number of arrivals which might be expected. 

 Throughout the season the bulk of the catch was brought in from a more 

 southerly direction than usual. Many of the heaviest takes were got to the 

 south-w^est of Fair Isle, and from 70 to 90 miles south from Lerwick. On the 

 other hand, the Shetland sail craft occasionally fished well from 8 to 20 

 miles off land. Fully 300 English steam drifters were employed during the 

 greater part of the season, and most of these being owned by Companies, 

 fished more steadily from the district than the Scottish steamers. The latter 

 shifted frequently to wherever the best results might be expected. The 

 general earnings of the steamers varied from £800 to £900; a few grossed 

 from £1000 to £1400. Extensive preparations were made at Lerwick for 

 curing and for supplying the fleet with coal and other necessaries for the use 

 of those engaged in the industry. Of the season's catch, 9000 crans were 

 kippered — a portion of which was forwarded to South Africa via London. 



