80 Appendices to Thirty-ninth Annual Report 



railed from the vessel side to such centres as Aberdeen, Hull and 

 Grimsby for drying purposes. 



The number of quarter-cran baskets branded last year was 15,321, 

 being 3341 baskets less than in the previous year. Owing to the 

 comparative failure of the Scottish herring fishing there was not such 

 a keen demand for these measures as was the case in the preceding 

 season. 



Few steam fishing vessels were built, a fact which is explained by 

 the high costs of building, and also by the presence on the market of 

 so many Admiralty trawlers and drifters. Moreover, the not over-bright 

 prospects of the fishing industry checked the enterprise of likely clients 

 for vessels of this type. 



The Dock Commissioners have not yet finally decided when they are 

 to begin the long contemplated extension scheme at Newhaven harbour. 

 Such extension is much required, and until it is completed there is not 

 much scope for the probable further development of trawling in this 

 district. A number of the trawlowners favour a scheme for the extension 

 and improvement of Granton as the centre of trawling, and in this con- 

 nection the Commissioners are at present considering whether they will 

 purchase the harbour there or not. 



Although the weather during the year was generally rather stormy, 

 especially during the latter three months, there were fortunately no lives 

 lost from fishing vessels, and the loss of and damage to vessels and gear 

 were not specially heavy. 



The Government Herring Guarantee Scheme did not affect this 

 district to any extent, as practically no herrings were cured within its 

 limits last year,. 



One phase of the fisheries which calls for comment is that while fish 

 were frequently selling cheap at Newhaven market, the public did not 

 seem to benefit to any appreciable extent in the reduction of prices at 

 the retail shops. 



It is somewhat difficult to express a definite opinion respecting the 

 -future prospects of the industry in this district. Meantime the outlook 

 is none too promising for trawlowners, owing to the rather low prices 

 generally received for fish, combined with heavy working expenses. 

 Fortunately steam coal is becoming cheaper, but until wages and other 

 outlays decrease, the profits to be made out of trawling will be small. 

 One fortunate feature, however, is that Newhaven and Granton are very 

 favourably situated for the distribution of fish, therefore there is in- 

 variably a brisk demand at the market for fish of good quality. 



Frederick S. Fraser, 



Fishery Officer. 



Fishery Office, 

 Leith, 19^ January 1921. 



Anstruther District. 



The total quantity of white fish landed in this district during the 

 year 1920 amounted to 62,771 cwts. valued at £66,813, and when com- 

 pared with the totals of the year 1919, these figures show an increase of 

 13,080 cwts. in the quantity, but a decrease of £25,731 in the value. 

 This satisfactory increase in the quantity was chiefly attributable to 

 heavy landings of sprats during the first two and last two months of the 

 year, and to the resumption of the summer herring fishing, which was 



