of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



69 



markets for cured herrings. The herring trade was certainly in a very 

 precarious condition, and had it not been for the Government guarantee 

 a disastrous time would have been experienced. 



The winter herring fishing on the North and North- West Coasts of 

 Scotland fortunately yielded fairly satisfactory results, and the landings 

 in Wick district constituted a record. The summer herring fishing was 

 disappointing, as the catches in general were light, and few fishermen 

 or curers ended the season without los3. Late in the season a fishing 

 was conducted for several weeks at Barra and other West Coast districts 

 which for both fishermen and curers participating was no doubt the 

 most satisfactory business of the year. 



Owing to the minimum price fixed for fresh herrings coming under 

 the guarantee, the average per cran was much in excess of that of 1919, 

 but herrings were about the only kind of fish which realised a better 

 price than in the previous year. 



To Scottish fishermen and shore workers the very prosperous season 

 at East Angiia gave great satisfaction, coming as it did after the dis- 

 appointing results of the summer fishing, but only the Guarantee scheme 

 rendered success possible. 



Owing to the increased cost of bait and labour employed for baiting, 

 there has been a considerable decline in the number of boats and men 

 employed at small-line fishing. Consequently seine-net and hand-line 

 fishing received greater attention, and in some districts herring fishing 

 also was more extensively engaged in. 



So long as war prices for fish prevailed, all branches of fishing were 

 remarkably remunerative, but conditions have greatly changed, and in 

 some districts where small motor craft were procured during the war 

 in considerable numbers, a number of these have now been discarded. 

 Large motor boats adapted for herring fishing are now proving less 

 valuable, and a goodly number were not fitted out for fishing last 

 summer, while not a few were converted into cargo vessels, and some 

 were sold to foreign countries. In the course of the year twelve be- 

 longing to Buckie district were lost, seven being burned, four foundering, 

 and one being wrecked at the harbour. Despite all the wastage that 

 took place, the catching power of the herring fleet was well maintained 

 by the addition of Admiralty drifters disposed of by the Board on 

 favourable terms to ex-service fishermen. 



Eyemouth District. 



A very satisfactory year was experienced, and the quantity and 

 value of all classes of fish were slightly in excess of those of the previous 

 year. In the month of June a moderate herring fishing was secured, 

 while throughout the late season a fleet varying from 130 to 270 vessels 

 conducted operations, with fair results. Line fishing shows a decline. 

 The average earnings of district steamers at the East Anglian fishing 

 were £1963, and of motor boats £990, while the highest earnings for 

 steamers were £2700, and for motor boats £1460. There was little 

 change in the means of capture. 



Leith District. 



The results obtained during the year were generally satisfactory, 

 and the fishermen of the district are now about as prosperous as they 

 were prior to the war. The number of motor yawls was increased by 

 22, but sailing boats are now almost out of use. Herring fishing in the 



