190 



Appendices to Thirtieth Annual Report 



Herrings were brought in to Oban from off the north-west of Ireland, and 

 white fish to Mallaig from off Cape Wrath. In very rough weather fishing was 

 generally carried on in the Minch, or in some more sheltered parts. 

 Generally the best results at herring fishing were obtained in a southerly 

 direction, and in the vicinity of Skerryvore and Dubheartach Light. Of 

 the quantity of white fish accounted for (50,000 cwts.), 87 per cent, was 

 landed at Mallaig, the principal kinds being eel, skate, ling, and cod. 

 Fully three-fourths of the 77,000 cwts. of herrings caught were also landed 

 at Mallaig. A portion of the herrings landed being unsuitable for 

 immediate despatch to the Southern markets, are cured and kippered. As 

 yet none have been kippered at Oban, but arrangements are being made for 

 the erection of two kippering houses, and additional curing accommodation 

 is to be provided in the vicinity of the harbour. 



The year under review was a memorable one as regards the summer 

 herring fishing. The weather was exceptionally fine, and the heat through- 

 out the season was abnormal. The main feature, however, was the poor 

 quality of the herrings during the greater part of the time, and, unfortunately, 

 the hot weather affected them to such an extent that curers lost heavily — 

 hundreds of barrels becoming unsaleable, and many more being sold at a 

 loss. The experience of last season supplies a strong argument against the 

 early curing of herrings. The fishermen's earnings at the home and English 

 autumn fishings were slightly above those for the previous year. Line- 

 fishing exhibited a considerable increase in 1910. The district returns show 

 decreases of 40,752 cwts. in quantity, and of .£4317 in value, as compared 

 with the preceding year. 



In the English section of the district there was a decrease in the number 

 of herring boats, but line fishing remained about the same. In the Scottish 

 section a steam drifter was added to the fleet, together with a new motor 

 boat of 74 feet of keel, built at Eyemouth. The engine is 120 E.H.P., 

 and develops a speed of 10 miles per hour. Ten boats were fitted up with 

 motor engines, thus making a fleet of 33 motor boats. There was a slight 

 increase in netting and lines. The proposal to build a small pier at Berwick 

 has not matured. Preparations are being made to make Blyth the head- 

 quarters of a trawling fleet — operations to begin this month. Special trawl 

 nets for catching herrings were used for the first time in this district by 

 vessels from North Shields, with fair success. 



The winter herring fishing was again a partial failure, the average earnings, 

 which were discounted to some extent by loss of netting through stormy 

 weather, beinp; only about .£8 per man. During the last four years this 

 fishing has yielded poor returns. 



The summer herring fishing was opened at North Shields in the beginning 

 of May, and a week later at Eyemouth, but the catch for the month at both 

 ports was only about half that for the same period in 1910. Towards the 

 end of June, by which time 220 boats were engaged, the fishing was general 

 at all the stations. At no time during the season was there a heavy fishing, 

 and this fact tended to keep up prices, notwithstanding the very inferior 

 quality of the herrings. The best quality was landed in the last week of 

 August and during September. Herrings, in small quantities, have been 

 landed by trawlers at North Shields for several years, but last season was 



Fishery Office, 

 Inverness, 5th January 1912. 



Wm. Jeffrey, 

 Assistant Inspector of Sea Fisheries. 



II. — East Coast. 



Eyemouth District. 



