of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



207 



Line fishing was more successful than for some years back. It was prose- 

 cuted well into the spring by a fair fleet of boats, and again at the close of 

 the herring fishing an early commencement was made at autumn fishing. 

 From the beginning of September right on to the end of the year it was 

 very successfully carried on by a larger fleet of boats than usual, as a number 

 of fishermen, instead of going to England, remained at home and engaged 

 in this fishing. Weather conditions were generally favourable, comparatively 

 little interruption being experienced. Haddock fishing, which accounts for 

 the increase, was the best for several years. The fish consisted largely of 

 medium and small haddocks of excellent quality. Fishermen state that 

 there is a fair appearjnce of haddocks, and that, provided trawlers keep 

 away, prospects are favourable. About half the catch was smoked, and the 

 rest sent off fresh, chiefly to Glasgow. A considerable part was, as usual, 

 disposed of in the locality, principally by women. 



Cod-net fishing was prosecuted by about the same number of boats as last 

 year, but with less success, the catch being little more than half that of the 

 previous year. Cod appear to be getting scarcer on the grounds in this 

 locality. The Whitehills fishermen did remarkably well fishing with nets 

 for soles and plaice, which are caught near the shore off the village. They 

 are sent to Birmingham, Manchester, and Glasgow. The earnings of the 

 crews ranged from .£60 to £120 for a period of about twelve weeks. 



Shell-fish fishing ; carried on at Gardenstown, Macduff, and Whitehills, 

 shows an increase. The varieties obtained are whelks, lobsters, and crabs, 

 chiefly the latter. The whelks, which are not plentiful, are gathered by 

 young folks and bought for consignment to London. 



There was an increase in the number of steamers at the English and Irish 

 fishings, but very few sail boats went to the former, and none at all to the 

 latter fishing. The earnings of steamers in England ranged from £400 to 

 £800, a few making about £1000, and sailers £180 to £260, while at the 

 Irish fishing steamers made from £100 to £350. Boat-builders were fairly 

 busy during the year. Thirteen small boats were built for line fishing, but 

 the chief occupation was constructing steam drifters, of which 20 were 

 launched. Prospects are good for the coming year, as there are already a 

 number of orders on hand for drifters. 



There was no loss of life in connection with the fisheries of the district, 

 and the damage to gear in Scottish waters was comparatively light. In 

 England there was a good deal of loss of and damage to netting, some crews 

 losing a considerable part of their fleet by fouling. 



The three fishery barometers are well looked after. 



Fishery Office, James Farquharson, 



Macduff, bth January 1912. Fishery Officer. 



Buclne District, 



On the whole, the year 1911 was one of prosperity to the fishermen, both 

 those who were employed at home and those who worked from other districts. 



The landings of line fish in the district continue to make steady progress 

 yearly, notably in haddocks and codlings, the former showing an increase in 

 quantity and value of 4823 cwts. and £2524 over the preceding year. The 

 total quantity and value of all kinds of fish landed during the year shows an 

 increase of 9387 cwts. and £4489. 



The means of capture returns show an increase of 11 steam drifters upon 

 last year's figures, but a decrease of eight sail boats. The increase in the 

 value of boats and fishing material combined amounts to £22,992. 



The majority of the district fishermen derive the greater part of their 

 earnings from herring fishing in other districts, being much in evidence at 



