of the Fishery Board for Scotland, 



47 



The bulk of the catch was kippered and freshed. Extensive pre- 

 parations were made for an increased kippering business, the number 

 of kippering establishments at work being 40, or 13 more than in the 

 previous year. When fully staffed and supplies were available, those 

 establishments could kipper over 1000 crans per day. 



Quite a number of kippering establishments were erected during 

 the year, and at the same time considerable improvements and extensions 

 of existing buildings were carried out. Smoke-houses which had been 

 out of use for years were renovated and used. 



During the early months of the year kippering firms drew supplies 

 of herrings from the West Coast. In October and November regular 

 supplies were brought by rail from Yarmouth and Lowestoft. 



A new departure in the trade of the port of Peterhead was the im- 

 portation of Norwegian fresh herrings in the months of February and 

 March. In all 13 large cargoes were imported, and high prices were 

 realised throughout. Considerable quantities were kippered locally, and 

 curers from other districts also purchased for kippering, but a large pro- 

 portion was bought for despatch to the southern markets in a fresh con- 

 dition. 



Forty steam and 16 motor drifters were fitted out for the East Anglian 

 herring fishing. Notwithstanding the serious interruption which was 

 caused by crews being incapacitated owing to influenza, which was very 

 prevalent at the ports of Yarmouth and Lowestoft, a very successful 

 season was experienced. Steam drifters had earnings of from £1050 to 

 £5100, while motor vessels earned from £700 to £4200. 



Towards the close of the year considerable quantities of white fish 

 were landed at Peterhead by Admiralty trawlers. Their catches con- 

 sisted of the usual mixed assortment of fish, principally cod, codling, 

 haddock, whiting, plaice, dabs, gurnards, and skate. With the exception 

 of gurnards and dabs, those fish were invariably disposed of at the maxi- 

 mum controlled prices, and were eagerly sought after by a large number 

 of buyers. 



Owing to the scarcity and high cost of all material used in the con- 

 struction of whole and half pickle barrels and the paucity of coopers, 

 few firms have produced barrels and half barrels during the year, and the 

 output has in consequence been a meagre one. A large amount of 

 machinery which is made use of in connection with barrel-making is at 

 present practically idle. 



The price of all classes of material required for the conduct of the in- 

 dustry has advanced to an abnormally high level, and were it not that 

 the earnings of fishermen have been unprecedented, these prices would 

 have been disastrous. 



One of the Peterhead steam drifters earned about £16,000 for the 

 year, having been engaged solely at herring fishing. That of itself con- 

 stitutes one of the records of the district. At herring fishing one of the 

 motor drifters earned about £11,000 for the whole year. 



Curers and buyers belonging to the district have followed the herring 

 fishings carried on at the more important stations in Scotland and Eng- 

 land, and it can safely be said that the fishermen and buyers have in 

 general had a very remunerative year. 



In spite of all the war risks, no loss of life took place in connection 

 with the industry, either at home or in other districts. When about com- 

 pleting the passage from Yarmouth, a motor drifter was wrecked at the 

 south entrance of Peterhead harbour. This is the only loss which falls 

 to be recorded for the year. 



Throughout the year fine fishing was prosecuted on the inshore 

 grounds by the older class of fishermen, who were not required on herring 



