42 



Appendices to Thirty- seventh Annual Report 



making a total of 108. There was, however, a decrease of 11 large sailing 

 boats, the majority of which were sold to other districts. 



The winter herring fishing was engaged in from about the middle 

 of January until the end of March, by about 140 craft of all kinds, with 

 very poor success. The fishing grounds extended from Buckhaven to 

 Crail, two miles off shore. Prices ranged from 120s. to 230s. a cran, all 

 the catch being disposed of in a fresh condition. 



Fortunately the cod net fishing, which was pursued in conjunction 

 with the herring fishing, was again a decided success. About 100 boats 

 were employed, and the success which attended their efforts proved a 

 great boon, in view of the failure of the herring fishing. The season's 

 catch amounted to 7720 cwts., valued at £37,775, as against 7499 cwts. 

 and £13,607 in 1917. The best single shot was 300 cod, value £164. 

 Prices ranged from £6 to £20 per score of fish, according to size and 

 quality. 



At Pittenweem about 36 crews were intermittently engaged at small 

 line fishing, this being the only creek in the district where this method 

 of fishing was prosecuted with any noteworthy success. 



The average price over the whole year of all kinds of white fish landed 

 in the district was 62s. 9d. a cwt., as compared with 37s. 4d. a cwt. in 1917. 



The crews who took part in the Scottish herring fishings on the whole 

 did very well, their total catch amounting to 28,925 crans valued at 

 £110,620. 



Three steam and 38 motor drifters took part in the East Anglian 

 herring fishing and landed a total of 22,579 crans, the gross value of 

 which was £81,384. The earnings of both types of vessels at this fishing 

 were almost equal. 



One boat belonging to the district was blown up by a mine, the crew 

 of 5 men being killed. 



The prospects for the future are generally satisfactory. The greatest 

 drawback, which will become more apparent once the demobilisation of 

 the fishermen on service becomes general, is the lack of a sufficient number 

 of steam and motor boats. If these craft can be secured there is every 

 likelihood of the industry being on a better footing than ever before. 

 Fortunately, this phase of the situation is already receiving the attention 

 of fishermen and fish salesmen, and a number of modern vessels have 

 already been acquired for the fishermen who are shortly to be demobilised 

 from the Navy. 



Frederick Fraser, 



Fishery Officer. 



Fishery Office, 

 Montrose, 10th January 1919. 



Montrose District. 



The principal branches of the fisheries, in order of their importance, 

 which received attention in this district last year were fine fishing by 

 motor boats, sprat fishing, and steam and motor trawling. The first 

 two methods of fishing were very successfully prosecuted, but the same 

 cannot be said of trawling, owing mainly to the depleted fleet operating 

 from Dundee. 



Compared with the results of the preceding year, the figures for 1918 

 show the large increases of 50,218 cwts., and £148,793 in the quantity 

 and value of white fish landed in the district. 



The noteworthy points in the Means of Capture Returns are a decrease 



