of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



187 



In the quantity despatched to Hamburg in a fresh state there was a decrease 

 of 3100 barrels, which is accounted for by the poor quality in the early part 

 of the season, and the high prices paid for curing purposes during July and 

 August. The white fisheries of the district were more productive than in the 

 preceding year. The great-line fishing carried on during the spring months 

 was practically in the hands of strangers, who usually landed their 

 heaviest takes and most valuable fish at Aberdeen. Small-line fishing was 

 carried on by district fishermen, supplemented by a number of Scottish 

 fishermen who have within recent years taken up permanent residence at 

 Lerwick. There was an increase in the number of small motor boats 

 employed, and to the use of these the satisfactory results obtained were largely 

 due. To fishermen alone the monetary, value of the district fisheries was 

 nearly .£500,000. 



In Orkney district the summer herring fishing was prosecuted with 

 unprecedented success, and with satisfactory results to all interested. 

 Contrasted with the preceding successful year, there was an increase of 

 21,665 crans in quantity and £44,157 in value. Fishermen and curers 

 alike refrained from making an early commencement, with the result that 

 very few herrings were landed in May. From the beginning to the close of 

 the season in the first week of September the daily landings were more 

 regular and the quality much better than in any other district on the East 

 Coast. The bulk of the catch was landed at Stronsay, but the small 

 stations— Holm, Burray, and Kirkwall — got a larger share than ordinary. 

 Herrings were evidently more plentiful off Stronsay than on the fishing 

 grounds off the neighbouring districts of Shetland and Wick, as boats 

 frequently arrived at those places with heavy takes caught in Orkney waters. 

 As a result of the success of the fishing, and the shortage at Shetland, 

 several of the large firms curing at Lerwick have decided to extend their 

 operations to Stronsay ; others from the Aberdeenshire coast have also 

 decided to cure in Orkney in 1912. The stations and landing piers to be 

 constructed by the two largest firms may cost over £1000 each. The 

 Orkney Harbour Commissioners have evidently decided to do all in their 

 power to meet the requirements of the industry by improving and extending 

 existing piers. Another new pier may be constructed and the channel 

 deepened. The white fishing as carried on by district fishermen with hand 

 and small lines varies little annually, the slight increase for the year being 

 attributable to the success of the small motor boats engaged in this branch of 

 the industry. In the quantity of cod, etc., brought in by trawlers and Faroe 

 vessels in a partially cured state there was a slight decrease as compared 

 with 1910. The annual value of the shell fisheries, chiefly lobsters, usually 

 amounts to about £6000. For the year 1911 there was a shortage of about 

 .£1000, which is accounted for by unfavourable weather conditions. 



An early commencement was made at herring fishing from Wick, with the 

 result that over 11,000 crans of immature fish were landed in May, a portion 

 of which was kippered and otherwise disposed of to the best advantage. 

 The greater part was cured, and, not being suitable for the Continental markets, 

 had an adverse influence on the industry. The average price per cran for 

 these was 5s. 6d., against 18s. for those landed in June, and 28s. per cran 

 for the July and August catch. By the beginning of September the fishing 

 had closed with a shortage of 10,500 crans in quantity and an increase of 

 £27,000 in value as compared with the preceding year. There was a 

 considerable increase in the number of steam vessels employed, and, although 

 many of these did not fish steadily from the port, the catching power 

 throughout the season was much stronger than hitherto. To fishermen 

 generally, especially to those employed on a number of the steam drifters, 

 the season was rather unprofitable. The crews who fished steadily from the 

 port on board steam or sail craft were perhaps the most successful, as 

 number of the former grossed from £900 to £1100, and the latter from 



