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Appendices to Thirtieth Annual Report 



from 7 to 10 miles off Tod Head. The quality of the haddocks was superior 

 to any landed for a long time. A number of fisherwomen from Portlethen 

 and Downies now visit Stonehaven daily for supplies of fish, thereby creating 

 a better demand. Prices were fairly good. 



The fishermen at Crawton, Catterline, and Shieldhill depend on the crab 

 and lobster fishing for their livelihood, but unfortunately both kinds of shell- 

 fish were scarcer than in 1910. The fishermen consigned their catches to 

 market themselves, and returns were very satisfactory. 



Most of the fish caught in the district is disposed of fresh and sold through- 

 out the surrounding districts. 



The curing of herrings was carried on by practically one firm, all the others 

 giving their attention chiefly to kippering. 



The number of barrels of herrings cured was slightly less than in the 

 previous year. Several parcels of early-cured herrings had to be consigned 

 to the Continent by curers themselves, and these in some cases are still un- 

 sold, and are likely to remain so, owing to their soft and oily nature. 

 Branding was a little better than in 1910, and the fish presented were 

 principally " Full " fish. All were readily sold at good prices. No herrings 

 were exported direct, all going coastwise 



There were 11 sailing boats at the English fishing, which fished mostly 

 from Scarborough, and arrived home in about eight weeks' time, having met 

 with little success. Their earnings ranged from £25 to £185, and averaged 

 £66. The loss of netting was insignificant. 



It is gratifying to state that no lives were lost in connection with the 

 district fisheries during the year. 



The herring-net factory at Stonehaven is now under new management, and 

 the business has been considerably increased. A large addition to the 

 buildings at the Invercarron Works has been effected during the year, and 

 the number of hands employed has been increased by about 40. 



A Provisional Order has been granted for the deepening and improving of 

 Stonehaven Harbour, and a commencement will soon be made with the 

 deepening, which, when completed, will be a great boon to fishermen in 

 enabling them to discharge their catches at all states of the tide. The loan 

 given by the Development Commissioners has been greatly appreciated by 

 the fishing community, and the Town Council have agreed to pledge the rates 

 as a guarantee for the repayment of the loan. 



The two fishery barometers in this district are in good working order. 



James Donaldson, 

 Fishery Office, Fishery Officer. 



Aberdeen', Wth January 1912. 



Aberdeen District. 



The various branches of the fisheries were prosecuted with exceptional 

 regularity during the year under review. The weather throughout was 

 remarkably good, which conduced to steady fishing operations, but results 

 generally could only be classified as moderately good from a financial stand- 

 point. The catch of all kinds of fish landed (including those of foreign 

 vessels, which made numerous landings), shows an increase of 256,457 cwts. 

 in quantity and £992 in value when compared with the figures for 1910, 

 so that the year's landings constitute a record for the district. Improved 

 catches of cod, codling, and haddocks were chiefly accountable for the 

 increases. 



In regard to the means of capture, sailing boats continue to show declining 

 returns in the number of fishermen, boats, and in value of fishing gear, 

 while steam fishing vessels show an increase of 10 vessels, 111 fishermen, 



