50 



Appendices to Thirty-seventh Annual Report 



Lhg, and it is doubtful if the local fishermen ever had a more prosperous 

 year. 



A comparison of the returns of fish landed with those of the preceding 

 year, which showed the best financial results for more than 20 years, 

 shows a further increase of 24,176 cwts. in the quantity and £72,577, in 

 the value of all fish landed. 



Practically all kinds of fish contributed to this improvement, and it is 

 interesting to note, in this respect, that the improvement from year to 

 year in the catch and value of fish landed corresponds with the increase in 

 the number of motor boats now operating from this district at line fishing. 



The number and tonnage of motor boats in the " Means of Capture 

 Eeturns " show a considerable increase over the figures of 1917, whilst the 

 number and tonnage of sailing boats exhibit a corresponding decrease. 

 This change was brought about by fishermen having motor power in- 

 stalled into their sail boats. 



The radical transformation in this respect during the past few years 

 will be apparent when it is stated that, in 1913, sailing boats landed more 

 than four times the quantity landed by motor boats, whereas during the 

 past year 86 per cent , of the catch and value of line -caught fish is credited 

 to the latter craft. 



There is every likelihood that all the first- and second-class sailing boats 

 still in the district which are worth putting engines into will be fitted with 

 motor power at an early date. 



During the year 88 steam drifters and 5 large motor boats were in the 

 employment of the Admiralty, but towards the end of the year, as the 

 result of the armistice, fishermen and drifters were being released from 

 Admiralty service, and will soon resume fishing operations again. 



During the opening months of the year, cod net fishing received 

 most attention. The number of boats which participated in this fishing 

 was 47 (37 motor and 10 sail), compared with 67 (35 motor and 32 sail) 

 in 1917. 



The results obtained were decidedly good from the fishermen's point 

 of view, for although the catch was considerably less than that landed 

 by the larger fleet employed at this fishing during the preceding year, the 

 value, owing to the abnormal prices being paid, was £2211 better. 



The average price per cwt. paid for net-caught cod was £4, 18s., com- 

 pared with 40s. in 1917 and 31s. in 1916. 



Small line fishing, however, is by far the most important branch of the 

 district fisheries, and accounted for 84 per cent, of the value of all fish 

 landed during the year. 



Compared with the returns for 1917, the results from line fishing 

 show an improvement of 24,110 cwts. in the quantity, and £85,485 in 

 the value, of fish landed. 



For this welcome improvement part of the credit is due to the well- 

 equipped motor fleet belonging to the district, and also to the fact that 

 the fishing grounds in the Moray Firth have become more prolific during 

 the enforced close time, haddocks, whiting, and codling having been 

 more plentiful than they have been for many years. 



The herring fishing opened on the 20th of May, and was carried on by 

 a fleet of about 12 small motor boats and 10 sail boats until the third week 

 in August. 



Owing to the restricted fishing area and to the Admiralty orders 

 controlling the movements of the fleet, the landings throughout the 

 season were generally light. 



The high prices, however, which were paid for herrings compensated 

 fishermen for their light takes, and their average earnings for the short 

 season were considered good. 



