40 



Appendices to Thirty-seventh Annual Report 



The haddock fishing was prosecuted by practically the same number 

 of boats as in 1917, but with better success. The general range of takes 

 was from 3 to 10 boxes, with occasional shots of 12 and 14 boxes. The 

 value constitutes a record. As compared with 1917, line-caught fish 

 represent an increase of 36 per cent, in quantity and 72 per cent, in value. 

 Prices ranged from 40s. to 120s. per box, with an average of 66s. 8d. per 

 cwt. as compared with 55s. Id. in 1917. 



The value of the shell-fisheries shows a large increase referable princi- 

 pally to lobsters. 



Barrel-making was confined to one firm finishing an outside contract. 

 Boat-builders were employed, as in 1917, in building motor yawls and 

 installing motor engines in sail boats. 



Of two motor boats which engaged in the Irish herring fishing, one was 

 sunk in collision early in the season : the other was fairly succesful At the 

 English autumn herring fishing 14 crews had earnings of from £1500 to 

 £7250, with an average of £2914. The loss in gear amounted to about 

 £1400. 



The casualties were 5 men lost in the action with enemy destroyers 

 off Dover. 



David Rosie, 

 Fishery Officer. 



Fishery Office, 



Berwick, 8th January 1919. 



Leith District. 



The total catch by all methods of fishing amounted to 189,551 cwts., 

 of the value, including shell-fish, of £537,342, as compared with 184.411 

 cwts. and £335,212 in 1917. The value for 1918 is probably a record 

 for the district. 



Excluding shell-fish, the average price of fish was 56s. 3d. per cwt., 

 against 36s. 4d. in 1917. 



In the " Means of Capture Returns " the increase in the number of motor 

 boats referred to in last year's report was continued, 9 being added to 

 the local fleet. Apart from the addition of one new boat, the incrasee 

 was due to the installation of motor engines in boats, mostly of the first 

 class, that had previously been propelled by sails. Similar changes are 

 still in progress, and the fleet of sail boats is decreasing steadily in 

 consequence. There is also a slight decrease in the number of steam 

 vessels, owing to losses through accidents of war. 



The number of trawlers working from Granton ranged, during the 

 year, from 15 to 19, and averaged 16 or 17 boats weekly. They worked 

 almost exclusively on the near grounds off the Bell Rock, May Island, 

 and St. Abb's Head. They had a most successful year, landing 143,144 

 cwts. of fish, valued at £415,523, an increase of 11,624 cwts. and £153,598 

 upon the returns for 1917. Nearly the whole of the catch was sold at 

 controlled prices. 



The small line fishing was prosecuted with more than the usual vigour 

 and success along the Haddington coast, and especially at Cockenzie, 

 where only motor yawls are now used. There were also fair average 

 landings on the Fife coast, at Kinghom and Kirkcaldy; but at Newhaven 

 little was done at line fishing. 



The winter herring fishing was a failure along the south shore of the 

 Firth, from Leith eastwards ; but from Newhaven westwards, on both 

 sides of the Firth, herrings were fairly plentiful, and fishermen had a 



