Appendices to Thirty-seventh Annual Report 



Great developments have taken place during the year in herring 

 kippering, and there is a considerable increase in the number of curers who 

 have taken part in placing upon the market herrings treated in this way. 

 From the facts that the demand was always greater than the supply, and 

 that merchants invariably obtained the controlled price, it may be con- 

 cluded that all have had a good year. As few herrings were landed at 

 Aberdeen, the supplies for kippering purposes were brought from fishing 

 centres on the West and East Coasts and from Yarmouth. 



In the case of fish -workers, the very fact that there was such a demand 

 for hands is evidence that they have been exceptionally well paid both for 

 normal hours and overtime. 



Prior to the war, the Germans, owing to their superior vessels, had 

 acquired almost a monopoly of providing cod, etc., for drying purposes, 

 and it is to be hoped that our own fishermen will now keep that industry 

 in their own hands and hold their own against all foreign competition. 



Very considerable extensions are necessary before the various Trawling 

 Companies can complete the programme which is no doubt being mapped 

 out with regard to acquiring and repairing vessels for the Icelandic waters, 

 whence the bulk of the cod was brought for curing and drying. A most 

 important task is therefore before them, and with adequate funds it is 

 hoped and believed that this branch will have every success. 



The loss of life and fishing vessels was not so severe as in the previous 

 year. Only 3 trawlers were sunk or otherwise lost, compared with 20 

 in 1917. The loss of life was also comparatively small, there being only 

 8 cases against 32 in the previous year. 



Walter Duff, 

 Assistant Inspector of Sea Fisheries. 



Fishery Office, 

 Aberdeen, 21s£ January 1919. 



Peterhead District. 



As in the three previous years, fishing operations during 1918 were 

 carried on under Admiralty restrictions. Only a small proportion of 

 the men and means of capture belonging to the district were available 

 for fishing purposes. A large number of the fishermen and shore -workers 

 were in the service of the Admiralty, and the only fishing craft available 

 for fishing purposes were those which were unsuitable for naval work. 



The more enterprising of the fishermen commenced the year's work 

 with the prosecution of the herring fishing on the west coast, where great 

 success was attained. In all 39 steam drifters and 11 motor drifters 

 from this district engaged at that fishing. Their earnings varied from 

 £2000 to £7000 in the case of steamers, and from £1000 to £3000 in the 

 case of motor boats. 



At Peterhead the summer herring fishing was carried on by a fleet 

 varying from 100 to 120 craft. Up to the middle of August very fair 

 success was attained, considering the restricted fishing area which was 

 available. The season practically ended at the close of August, the results 

 during the latter half of the month being very disappointing. Steam 

 drifters' earnings ranged from £1840 to £4160, motor drifters' from £1600 

 to £4400, and sailers' from £800 to £2150. One of the motor boats landed 

 a take which realised £817 and constituted a record for the port. 



High prices, varying from 30s. 6d. to 120s. per cran, prevailed through- 

 out the season, the average being 84s. 8d. per cran, compared with 50s. 7d. 

 in 1917. 



