56 



Appendices to Thirty-seventh Annual Report 



the largest number of motor boats, and consequently they secured the 

 lion's share of the total, £30,351, or 44 per cent, of the total value of 

 all fish landed within the district, being attributable to these vessels. 



The total quantity of fish landed in the district from line boats was 

 24,337 cwts. and the total value £57,556, as against 23,819 cwts. and 

 £33,937 in the year 1917. As is usual, the principal kinds of fish caught 

 by lines were cod and codling, haddock, and plaice. The average prices 

 received per cwt. for the different kinds were, cod and codling 43s. 3Jd., 

 haddock 46s. 7Jd., and plaice 112s. Id., compared with 28s. 2d., 36s. 9|d., 

 and 50s. respectively in the year 1917. 



From February to April, 13 small motor and 9 small sail boats were 

 employed for 10 weeks at cod net fishing from Golspie, Brora, Helmsdale, 

 and Dunbeath. For the second year in succession this fishing was greatly 

 hindered by stormy weather. Cod were fairly plentiful, however, and 

 when able to haul the nets the crews usually secured good average catches. 

 That, together with the high prices ruling for fish, insured very satis- 

 factory earnings. The average gross earnings of the crews of the motor 

 boats for the ten weeks fishing was £555, and those of the sail boats 

 £445. The average price received by the fishermen for net-caught cod 

 was 61s. per cwt., as against 27s. 8Jd. per cwt. in the preceding year. 



Occasional trials at inshore herring fishing were made from Dunbeath 

 by the crews of several small boats. These were unsuccessful and yielded 

 only 52 crans, which were landed at Dunbeath. No other landings of 

 herrings were made within the district. 



A large motor boat manned by a Dunbeath crew engaged in the summer 

 herring fishing at Wick, with satisfactory results. 



Except for a comparatively small quantity which was consumed 

 locally, all the fish landed within the district were despatched fresh to the 

 southern markets. 



The total value of the district shell-fisheries was £323 — chiefly referable 

 to mussels, cockles, and wilks gathered at Little Ferry. Crab and lobster 

 fishing was almost entirely neglected, probably because the fishermen 

 grudged baiting the creels with high-priced fish. 



During the year satisfactory progress was made with the repair and 

 improvement of the pier at Golspie. This work was arranged for by the 

 County Council of Sutherlandshire. The pier has been thoroughly re- 

 paired, and 30 feet have been added to the arm which extends from the 

 point in a S.S.W. direction. The inside of the pier, which is built of wood, 

 has been filled up with stones, giving it greater strength and stability 

 and also sheltering the harbour from S.E. storms. Formerly during these 

 storms the waves passing under the pier created motion in the basin 

 of the harbour. The fishermen have now arranged for the arm of the pier 

 being extended other 10 feet, and this work is to be carried out early in 

 the year 1919. Altogether, including the further extension, the work 

 will cost about £1000, and when completed the fishermen of Golspie 

 will have a well -sheltered harbour and will be able to further increase 

 their fleet of motor line boats. 



In August 3 fishermen belonging to Golspie were unfortunately drowned 

 in Muckle Ferry. They were returning home with a cargo of mussels 

 when their small yawl struck a sand bank, and turning over threw the 

 crew into the sea. One man was saved. 



Alexander Wood, 



Fishery Officer. 



Fishery Office, 

 Wick, March 1919. 



