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Appendices to Thirtieth Annual Report 



all the principal fishing centres in Scotland, England, and Ireland. During 

 the first three months of the year steam drifters are employed on the Irish 

 coast, making Buncrana and Downings Bay their principal fishing centres. 

 In the summer months the area of their operations extends from Shetland to 

 Aberdeen, the bulk of the fleet preferring Shetland and Orkney to the East 

 Coast, owing to the less congested state of the harbours in the northern 

 waters. At the close of the summer season the whole fleet return home to 

 refit for the English coast, 247 steam drifters and 30 sail boats leaving (in 

 1911) for that coast in September and remaining there until the close of the 

 year. 



From a financial point of view the steam drifters had a fairly successful 

 year ; they made good earnings during the summer season, and also had a 

 good season at the English fishing. It is estimated that their average 

 earnings at the different fishing stations at which they w^ere employed during 

 the year amounted to .£1650 per vessel. 



The herring fishing in the district was commenced early in May by a 

 number of sail boats, which continued at work until about the middle of July, 

 when they left for other districts to fish. The fishing after that date fell off 

 considerably, and was practically confined to boats coming home for week- 

 end visits. Most of the catch was brought from grounds 18 to 20 miles 

 N.E. of Buckie, the greater part being landed in June and July. The 

 herrings were of an inferior quality during the first part cf the season, being 

 of a soft, oily nature, and owing to the extreme heat the fishermen in some 

 instances had difficulty in getting them disposed of. The number of barrels 

 presented for the official brand was small in proportion to the quantity of 

 herrings landed, but this is accounted for by the early beginning, the inferior 

 quality, and the early termination of the season. 



The small-line fishing for haddocks, it is gratifying to observe, has shown 

 a marked improvement. It was prosecuted by from 40 to 50 small boats in 

 the autumn months of the year, and, as already mentioned, the gross landings 

 show a considerable increase over last year's figures. Prices were also 

 remunerative to those fishermen employed, one boat having earned .£286 

 since September. 



Great-line fishing has been superseded by the newer method of cod nets in 

 the capture of cod fish, and 5 steam drifters and 27 sail boats were employed 

 at this mode of fishing during the spring months. The fishing grounds were 

 principally in the shallow waters of the Moray Firth, from Tarbat Ness to 

 Helmsdale, and good catches were obtained. The total quantity taken by 

 cod nets was 9560 cwts., valued at £4502. 



The boatbuilding trade was fairly busy during the year, eight vessels being 

 launched, five of which were for local crews and three for other districts. In 

 addition to the vessels built at home, six steel vessels were built elsewhere 

 for district fishermen at a cost of £3400 each. A good many orders for 

 vessels, both wood and steel, have been placed in the hands of builders to be 

 ready for the coming season, the steel-built vessel being preferred to the 

 wooden one although costing <£800 more. 



' Barrel-making was carried on at Cullen, Portknockie, Findochty, and 

 Buckie, and coopers were fully employed. A number of them are now 

 employed for a considerable portion of the year at herring curing. 



The work of enlarging and improving the harbour at Buckie has been in 

 progress during the year, and an extension of 100 feet to the North Pier has 

 been completed. A considerable length for the new dock has also been built, 

 and excavations for deepening the new harbour are in progress, which, when 

 completed, will greatly add to the accommodation of the port. 



The navigation classes opened for the convenience of fishermen continue 

 to be held at all the creeks in the district. They are well attended by a 

 considerable number of men and boys, who are all very anxious to obtain 

 their certificates of seamanship. 



