of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



65 



APPENDIX II. 



ANNUAL REPORTS BY INSPECTORS OF SEA FISHERIES 

 AND FISHERY OFFICERS. 



Report by General Inspector on Steam Trawling, Steam 

 Lining, and Flounder Seine Net Fishing. 



During the year 1920 the Scottish steam fishing fleet was completely 

 reconditioned, and restored to more than a pre-war basis. The number 

 of vessels employed in trawling in Scotland, including 31 English craft 

 that fished regularly from Scottish ports, was 385, which is the largest 

 number on record, and an increase of 91 over the figures for 1919. In 



1913 the fleet, including 22 English trawlers, numbered 320; and in 



1914 the total was 332 trawlers, of which 19 were English. 



The financial results were unfortunately very disappointing, both to 

 owners and crews. Prices, apart from an occasional congested market, 

 were generally higher than pre-war averages ; and had working expenses 

 been normal, all concerned should have had good returns from the 

 venture, but the high cost of fuel and fishing material, and the high 

 wages now paid, left at the best but meagre profits, while crews often 

 settled in debt at the end of a voyage. Unless drastic reductions in 

 working expenses, especially fuel and fishing material, can be effected, 

 prospects for the trawling industry must be regarded as very gloomy. 

 While dull trade and unemployment* throughout the country have also 

 to be reckoned with, there is little doubt that the great increase in the 

 catching power of the trawling fleet is largely responsible for the 

 unremunerative prices often current for fish now, and it will not be 

 surprising if a good many trawlers are laid up for part of the summer 

 of 1921. 



In Leith district the average number of trawlers working was 70, as 

 compared with 40 in 1919. Fishing operations were interrupted, first 

 by a fishermen's strike which occurred towards the end of the previous 

 year, and wa3 not settled till the middle of January ; and subsequently 

 by a miners' strike in the autumn, during which the available supplies 

 of coal were rationed out to the boats on a basis of 50 per cent, of their 

 normal requirements. Notwithstanding these handicaps the quantity 

 and value of the fish landed were the highest in the history of the 

 district. 



A few of the larger Granton trawlers worked out in the North Sea, 

 off the Aberdeenshire coast, but the bulk of the fleet fished well inshore 

 near the entrance to the Firth of Forth, or off St. Abb's Head. In 

 September some of the Granton boats trawled for herrings on - the 

 Dogger Bank with very satisfactory results. 



There was a big proportion of small haddocks among the fish caught 

 on the nearer grounds, and the low prices realised for these small 

 haddocks reduced the earnings of the vessels so much that trawling was 

 not remunerative, especially during the latter half of the year. The 

 average price of trawl fish for the year was only 24s. per cwt. 



Three steam drifters belonging to Leith district, and one belonging 

 to Eyemouth, were engaged in trawling last year, — some of them only 

 during the spring months. The crews made fairly satisfactory earnings, 



E 



