of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



63 



very considerable increase in the values of steam drifters and motor boats 

 and their gear due to the abnormal prices which prevailed for all kinds of 

 material used in connection with the fisheries, as well as to the oppor- 

 tunities created by the war for mechanically driven craft to earn twice 

 or thrice the normal amount in a season. These high values are not 

 expected to continue very long at their present level, and with less strenuous 

 times vessels and material will probably be obtainable at less inflated 

 prices. 



The winter herring season proper began about the middle of January, 

 although a number of boats were operating at the end of the preceding 

 year. A special recommendation was issued to the fishermen to continue 

 fishing until the middle of March, so as to produce as much food for the 

 country as possible. But certain circumstances militated against this 

 injunction being fully carried out. The fleet was composed mostly of 

 stranger third-rate craft, and defects developed in their engines and hulls. 

 Added to this, many of the crews had secured excellent results, the quality 

 of the fish was deteriorating, prices were falling, and the men became 

 restive, desiring to go home for repairs or to fit out for other fishings, 

 and although a number of boats continued working till the close of March 

 about half the fleet had left the district by the 9th of the month. The 

 catch for the season is short of the quantity landed during the correspond- 

 ing period of the preceding year by 25,051 crans, but the fishermen were 

 more than compensated for this deficiency by the higher values obtained, 

 the increase amounting to no less than £84,486. Several of the steam 

 drifters earned as much as £7000 each, while on the other hand it is known 

 that one boat cleared expenses only. The general run of earnings was 

 from £1500 to £4000. Stormy weather prevented the motor craft from 

 being at sea as regularly as the drifters, consequently their earnings were 

 not so good. But if their earnings were less, so were their expenses. 

 These craft earned from £1100 to £3000. 



In pre-war times the bulk of the catch was cured pickled for export, 

 but since limitations were put upon this avenue of disposal the herrings 

 were kippered, freshed, and cured ungutted for reds, being more accept- 

 able in these forms by the home consumer. The quantities dealt with 

 in this way were unprecedentedly large. Special steamers were provided 

 for the transport of the goods to the railway termini, but not infrequently 

 the railways were unable to cope with the traffic as expeditiously as could 

 be wished because of insufficient labour and rolling stock. On one or 

 two occasions the capacity of the carrying steamers available was in- 

 adequate, with the regrettable result that the fish had to remain at the 

 port of landing for several days before being shipped, and consequently 

 fish lightly sprinkled or not sprinkled at all arrived tin market in faulty 

 condition, loss to the shipper and disappointment to he consumer being 

 thereby entailed. Notwithstanding these mishaps, it is remarkable how 

 few consignments were spoiled. Packages, however, often went amissing, 

 some being delivered to wrong salesmen and others going to towns other 

 than those to which they were consigned, while in some instances no trace 

 of the fish could be found after being discharged from the carriers. There 

 is little doubt that these occurrences were partly due to negligent labelling 

 by the senders and pressure on the railways. 



For several years past no voluntary close time has been observed, 

 and no objections were raised against the landing of herrings caught 

 between the dates of 10th April and 10th May. During this period 

 practically all the boats were undergoing overhaul preparatory to com 

 mencing the summer herring fishing, but notwithstanding this an occa- 

 sional boat or two went to sea now and again, and 343 crans were landed, 

 which were all kippered and despatched to the English markets. 



