of the, Fishery Board for Scotland. 



101 



13,754 crans valued at £31,805, compared with 4377 crans valued at 

 =£16,179 during the corresponding period of 1919. With the exception 

 of about 1800 crans which were "rough packed," all the herrings landed 

 during the winter months were freshed and kippered. 



Some of the crews had a very successful season, while others were 

 unable to clear the working expenses of their boats. The gross earnings 

 of the drifters ranged from £400 to £2300, averaging £1100. 



The cod-net fishing was prosecuted from the middle of January to 

 the second week in April. The number of boats which participated in 

 this fishing was 69 (5 steam, 58 motor and 6 sail), compared with 76 

 (2 steam, 38 motor and 36 sail) in 1919. During the first few weeks of 

 the fishing the weather was generally unfavourable and the results 

 obtained were poor, but during March some splendid shots were landed 

 from the fishing grounds lying to the north side of the Moray Firth. 



To begin with prices were controlled at 5s. per stone, but when they 

 became decontrolled they fluctuated very much, and during the remainder 

 of the season they ranged from Is. to 10s. per fish. The total catch for 

 the season was 18.038 cwts., being slightly better than in 1919, but as the 

 average value for the season was only 31s. 7d. per cwt. compared with 

 52s. 4d. per cwt. in 1919, the total value is less by £18,570. With the 

 exception of 47 tons which were cured, the whole catch was sent away 

 in a fresh state to the southern markets. 



The summer herring fishing was prosecuted from Portknockie, 

 Findochty and Buckie. It opened on 25th June and was carried on to 

 the 21st of August. The Government Guarantee Scheme worked satis- 

 factorily on the whole. With an average fishing the scheme would have 

 proved fairly remunerative to fishermen, and would have enabled the 

 curers to come out on the right side, especially those who held old stock. 

 Unfortunately, however, the expectations of fishermen and curers were 

 not realised, and notwithstanding the fact that on the strength of the 

 great increase in the catching power, greater preparations were made by 

 curers for curing than in former years, the total catch for the season 

 amounted to only 15,609 crans, compared with 19,052 crans in 1919. Of 

 that quantity 11,468 crans were cured gutted, 3087 were kippered and 

 1054 crans were freshed. 



The quality of the herrings varied considerably throughout the 

 season, but on the whole was inferior to that of 1919. The best week of 

 the fishing was that to 17th July, when 5087 crans were landed. The 

 principal fishing grounds were from 17 to 55 miles N.E. by E. and E.N.E. 

 from Buckie. The herrings taken from the more distant grounds were 

 generally of very good quality, whereas those taken from the local waters 

 were chiefly matties. 



Of the total cured 13,712 barrels were accepted under the scheme, 

 while a small quantity was disposed of by curers privately, principally 

 to America. 



Of those accepted by the Government, 11,142 barrels were still on 

 hand at the close of the year, and while herrings cured in 1920 remain to 

 be disposed of, the prospects for the industry for 1921 are by no means 

 bright. 



After the close of the summer herring fishing, fishermen refitted for 

 the East Anglian fishing, in which 270 steam and 90 motor boats belong- 

 ing to this district participated. Weather conditions were the most 

 favourable experienced for many years, and as the fishing grounds proved 

 prolific, and a minimum price of 45s. per cran was guaranteed to the 

 fishermen under the Government Scheme, the results were very satis- 

 factory. Earnings of steam drifters ranged from £500 to £2800, average- 

 ing £1350. The average gross earnings of motor boats were £910. 



