of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



of 10 large sailing boats, most of which were sold to other districts, and 

 an increase of 10 motor boats. 



No attempt was made at the summer herring fishing. In fact, only 

 2 district boats fitted out for this fishing, and they worked from other 

 ports. In view of the fact that the two curing firms at Montrose will in 

 all probability cease curing herrings here, it looks as if this branch of the 

 industry will come to an end in this district. 



Sprat fishing in the Firth of Tay was pursued with unprecedented 

 success during the first four months of the year. The catch and value 

 for this period were 10,389 crans and £35,410. About 21 boats were 

 engaged, and never in the annals of the Tay sprat fishery have the crews 

 made such high earnings. 



Small line fishing was regularly engaged in by about 90 motor crews, 

 and notwithstanding the increased cost of all kinds of material necessary 

 for line fishing the crews made very good earnings. Considering the 

 small number of trawlers which were working off this coast, it was naturally 

 thought fish would have been exceptionally plentiful, but this unfor- 

 tunately was not the case. Codling and haddock were the chief kinds 

 of fish caught, and generally the catches differed little in size from those 

 of the preceding year. 



Steam trawling was as usual carried on mainly frrom Dundee, but by 

 a reduced fleet of 3 trawlers. Several Granton trawlers landed their mid- 

 week shots at Montrose, all of which were despatched direct to Qlasgow. 

 Five motor trawlers were regularly employed from Montrose, but owing 

 to the small size of these craft (which could only work in comparatively 

 smooth water) and to engine breakdowns, the venture could not be 

 termed a success. Once trawling resumes its former prosperity, it is to 

 be feared that these motor trawlers will not pay. and will gradually cease 

 to exist as such. 



The sum earned by the most successful Dundee trawler last year was 

 £19,783. 



Contrary to all expectations, the concession which the Board granted 

 to small trawlers to trawl during a part of the spring within territorial 

 waters off this coast did not prove a success, with the result that 

 many of the crews resumed line fishing after only a week's trawling. 



The average price of white fish for the year was 45s. per cwt., as com- 

 pared with 38s. Id. per cwt. in 1917. 



Disaster befell an Arbroath vessel in February, the boat, it is sup- 

 posed, being blown up by a mine and the crew, 2 men and a boy, lost. 



Eegarding the future of the district fisheries, the only regrettable 

 feature is the probable decay of the herring fishing. Steam and motor 

 trawling and line fishing will form the mainstay of the fishermen. In 

 due time the fleet of trawlers at Dundee will probably return to its pre- 

 war strength, while motor line boats will go on increasing as additional 

 craft and crews become available. In no district in Scotland, probably, 

 does small line fishing receive so much attention as in this district, as is 

 evidenced by the fact that last year from 22,126 arrivals 69,385 cwts. of 

 line fish, valued at £223,922, were landed at the various creeks. In 

 every respect the district fishermen are in a strong position, and their 

 outlook for the future is quite bright. This happy state of matters is due 

 solely to the marked success of the motor line boat, and of course to the 

 perseverance of the fishermen, who faced the war risks with a splendid 

 spirit. 



Frederick Fraser, 



Fishery Officer, 



Fishery Office, 

 Montrose, 10^ January 1919. 



