of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



81 



practically suspended during the previous year owing to a strike among, 

 local fishermen. There were., however, considerable differences in the 

 landings of other kinds of fish, the most prominent being a decrease in 

 the landings of cod to the extent of 2089 cwts. in the quantity, and 

 £12,336 in the value, and increases of 2322 cwts. in the quantity, and 

 £934 in the value of haddocks. 



The great decrease in the total value of white fish landed during the 

 year was due chiefly to the general decline in prices of all fish, as shown 

 by the following statement comparing the average values per cwt. for 

 the years 1920 and 1919 of the principal kinds of fish landed : — 



1920. 1919. 



s. d. s. d. 



Herring .... 15 9 35 4f 



Cod 28 11 42 2| 



Haddocks .... 37 7 41 3| 



Plaice 42 9J 44 3f 



The most prominent feature in the Means of Capture Returns was 

 the decline in the number of sail boats belonging to the district, due to 

 the fitting of boats with motor power, or their sale out of the district. 

 Two first class and 8 second class sail boats were fitted with motor 

 engines, and 1 first class (from 30 to 45 feet keel) and 3 second class 

 motor boats were built for owners within the district. The fleet of 

 motor boats did not, however, show a corresponding increase, as 2 of 

 the first class were converted into cargo vessels, 3 first class and 1 second 

 class motor boats were unfortunately lost, and 2 first class were sold out 

 of the district. The number of steamers belonging to the district is 1 

 less than during the previous year, but this decrease will doubtless be 

 made good during the ensuing year by the purchase of Admiralty 

 drifters. 



The winter herring fishing, the most important fishery of the district, 

 commenced on the 10th of February, and was prosecuted by a fleet of 

 90 motor boats and 2 steam drifters until towards the end of March. 

 Herring were, however, scarce throughout the whole season, and the 

 total catch amounted to only 4113 crans valued at £12,378, as against 

 5009 crans valued at £31,487 for the corresponding period of the 

 previous year. 



Owing to stormy weather and scarcity of fish the cod net fishing was 

 again disappointing. The season's catch amounted to 4569 cwts. valued 

 at £7485, compared with 5037 cwts. valued at £13,416 for the year 

 1919. 



The great-line fishing was eagerly prosecuted by the district steamers 

 and first class motor boats during the spring and early summer of the 

 year under review. These boats usually landed their catches at 

 Aberdeen or Shields, only an occasional small shot being landed in this 

 district by boats home ior week-ends. Owing to the failure of the 

 winter herring fishing and the poor prospects for the early summer 

 herring fishing the season was prolonged, and the boats secured satis- 

 factory earnings of from £1275 to £3000 gToss. 



The majority of the Fifeshire fishermen operate from the northern 

 Scottish ports during the summer herring fishing, and the herrings 

 landed in this district are made up largely of catches delivered at the 

 week-ends. Towards the end of the season, however, a few steamers 

 and motor boats fished regularly from Anstruther and were fairly 

 successful. At the end of August these vessels had catches ranging 

 from 80 to 150 crans from the Longstone fishing grounds, but as the 



F 



