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Appendices to Thirtieth Animal Report 



years past, and the year 1911 showed no improvement. Only one 

 steam drifter was built during the year, but another is in process of 

 construction. 



In connection with the district fisheries only one fatality occurred during 

 the year, a young man being drowned through falling into the harbour. 



Walter Duff, 



Pkterhead, Mh January 1912. Fishery Officer. 



Fraserburgh District. 



In reviewing the result of the fishing industry in its principal branches, 

 the year 1911 may be briefly described as an average one when compared 

 with the past few years. The average catch of herrings for the past four 

 years has been slightly over 200,000 crans, a quantity which would have 

 been considered very satisfactory in bygone days, but which, owing to the 

 increase in catching, and especially curing power, is inadequate to the needs 

 of the trade as it is now conducted. 



From the fishermen's point of view the year was again a prosperous one, 

 more especially when the result of the English herring fishing is taken into 

 account. Fishworkers and coopers also had a fairly good year, and while 

 most of the curers went South with little or no profit on their Scottish transac- 

 tions, the result of the English fishing would enable them to finish the year 

 with a favourable balance. 



Four steam drifters were added to the fleet, while 29 sail boats were 

 struck off the register, most of which were old boats worn out, or smaller- 

 sized boats of the various classes. There was no change in the number of 

 motor boats. One motor boat was wrecked on the West Coast. A crew 

 had the motor removed, being dissatisfied with it, while motors were intro- 

 duced into two boats belonging to Kosehearty. 



The value of boats and fishing gear remains about the same as in the 

 previous year, the value of the additional steam drifters almost balancing the 

 depreciation of the whole fleet of boats. 



Several attempts were made at the winter herring fishing, but the result 

 proved an entire failure. 



The summer herring fishing began on the 5th May. This was considered 

 by curers too early a commencement, especially after their experience of the 

 previous year's early cured herrings, and also because a considerable quantity 

 of the former season's cure still remained on the Continent to be disposed of. 

 After a week's fishing, when fish were plentiful, but of poor quality, and 

 very low prices prevailed, fishermen resolved on a week's close time, which 

 was carried out. Another start was made on the following week, when a 

 pitiful state of matters prevailed, about 8000 crans being landed, of which 

 1160 crans were disposed of for manure at Is. 6d. per cran, besides about 

 1600 crans which were thrown into the Bay. The average price for the 

 May catch was 5s. 7d. per cran. With the advent of June the quality had 

 improved ; the Continental market had also improved, and although a con- 

 siderable quantity was landed, curing had become general, and the average 

 price for that month was 15s. 4d. per cran. July showed a further improve- 

 ment in quality, and, with a very moderate catch, the result was that the 

 average price per cran for that month rose to 28s. 9d. Towards the middle 

 of August the catches showed considerable quantities of spent fish, and from 

 that time until the season ended the proportion of spent fish increased. The 

 average price for the August catch was 23s. 8d., and for September 18s. Id. 

 per cran. 



Fishermen have talked a good deal about getting a compulsory close time 

 before another season begins, but it appears they have the matter entirely in 



