44 



Appendices to Thirty-seventh Annual Report 



Stonehaven District. 



The fishing industry of Stonehaven district was, as during the four 

 preceding years, confined almost entirely to small line fishing. Through- 

 out the whole year this branch was prosecuted by the fishermen available 

 with great energy and perseverance, notwithstanding the restrictions 

 imposed on the surrounding areas. The weather on the whole was very 

 favourable, and seldom were the boats kept ashore. Indeed, owing to the 

 hard work and drudgery which small line fishing entails upon the families 

 concerned, fishermen occasionally welcomed weather which kept them 

 ashore, as the members of their households thereby had a rest. 



The results for the year are exceptionally good, and never in the 

 history of the district have the fishermen been in such good circum- 

 stances. Compared with the previous year's catch, there was a con- 

 siderable increase in the quantity of fish landed, while the money value 

 was more than doubled. The earnings of motor boats ranged from £2500 

 to close upon £4000, and of sail boats from £600 to £1000. These high 

 earnings being realised at their own homes make the year a very lucrative 

 one to fishermen. Of course the expenses in the way of mussels for bait 

 and oil for the motor engines were very heavy, but these were more than 

 counterbalanced by the high controlled prices obtained for the fish. The 

 bulk of the mussels was brought from England, and very often, owing to 

 the delay in railway transport, the shell-fish were dead before reaching 

 their destination. This meant a considerable loss to the fishermen. 



The instalment of motor engines into existing sail boats has given a 

 considerable impetus to the line fishing of the town of Stonehaven. While 

 in 1914 there was not a single boat with a motor engine, at the present time 

 there are 19 of these craft belonging to the port. It may therefore be said 

 that the success of the line fishing industry during the past three years is 

 chiefly due to the fact that fishermen have now a firm belief in the efficiency 

 of the motor boat. 



The herring fishing in this district has been entirely suspended during 

 the war, and it is to be feared that fishermen will be unable to resume this 

 branch of the industry when it becomes feasible to do so, having sold 

 their boats and nets owing to the highly tempting prices which have 

 prevailed during the past two years. Such a policy does not seem very 

 wise, as it will be almost impossible to replace these boats and nets for 

 some time to come. 



The local firm of net manufacturers report a good year's output. 

 The year, however, ended with a distinct falling off in business owing to 

 the possibility of lower prices in the near future and the consequent dis- 

 inclination of buyers to place orders. The firm have not, however, 

 slackened in their manufacture, and are indeed prepared to employ more 

 hands, as stocks of fishing gear in the country must be low, and a con- 

 siderable demand for nets is anticipated at an early date. 



Crab fishing, which was chiefly carried on at the creeks lying to fche 

 south of Stonehaven, proved to be very remunerative to the fishermen. 

 The total value of shell-fish was, however, slightly under that of 1917. 



Walter Duff, 

 Assistant Inspector of Sea Fisheries. 



Fishery Office, 

 Aberdeen, 21st January 1919. 



