of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



195 



with moderate results. The catch of haddocks again showed an increase, 

 but that of cod and codlings was slightly less. 



The plaice and codling net fishing as carried on at St. Andrews showed a 

 falling off. The catch of plaice was about the same as in former years, but 

 codlings exhibit a decrease of over 40 per cent. 



The sparling fishing which is carried on in the River Tay continues to 

 decline. The total landings for the year amounted to only 113 cwts. 



The crab and lobster fishing yielded improved results. The catch of crabs 

 was slightly less than for the preceding year, but, owing to a good demand 

 during the summer months, the value was considerably greater. Lobsters 

 showed an increase in numbers, and also in value. The demand for mussels 

 for bait is gradually falling off, and the output is declining. Whelk-gathering 

 also receives le?s attention. 



Altogether 102 crews from this district were employed at herring fishing 

 on the English coast during autumn. The season yielded fair returns, the 

 average earnings per crew being considerably in advance of those for the 

 corresponding season of 1910. A pleasing feature of the season was that 

 the crews of sailing boats shared in the prosperity to a greater extent than 

 during the last few seasons. The number of sailing boats employed at this 

 fishing is, however, gradually getting less. 



One district crew was employed for a few weeks at herring fishing on the 

 north coast of Ireland, but the results were not encouraging. 



The boat-building trade continued dull, although it was slightly more 

 active than during 1910. Seven new boats, all of them second class, were 

 built in the district. The employment for coopers was steady. A con- 

 siderable number of barrels was sent from the district to Ireland for the 

 mackerel fishery. 



Unfortunately three men lost their lives in connection with the district 

 fisheries — two through being knocked overboard or killed by the sail, and 

 one through falling overboard. 



Nothing was done during the past year to improve the harbour accom- 

 modation in the district. The local Harbour Authorities are, however, alive 

 to the fact that the development of the district fisheries is retarded by the 

 want of a deep-water harbour. Several schemes have been prepared for a 

 central deep-water harbour for the three principal stations in the district — 

 Anstruther, Pittenweem, and St. Monans — but at the close of the year no 

 definite arrangements had been made. 



William Keir, 



Fishery Office, Fishery Officer, 



Anstruther, 5th January, 1912, 



Montrose District. 



Both in quantity and value the returns of fish landed in this district during 

 1911 were the best recorded for the past four years. 



This improvement was brought about by better results being obtained at 

 drift-net fishing for herrings and bag-net fishing for sprats. Line fishing was 

 also slightly better than in the previous year, but the returns of trawl fish 

 exhibited a downward tendency. The value of shell fish landed was about 

 an average as compared with recent years. 



There was an addition of one steam drifter, but, as one of the local 

 trawlers was lost at sea, the total number of steam fishing vessels belonging 

 to the district remains unaltered. 



Four boats were fitted with motor engines during the year, and two others 

 are now being similarly equipped. 



The fleet of sailing boats continues to show a falling-off, A number of 



N 



