of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



113 



Orkney District. 



The outstanding event in connection with the fisheries during the 

 year under review was the revival of the herring fishery, which had 

 been entirely suspended during the war years and of little account in 

 1919. The importance of this branch of the industry may be judged 

 from the fact that, notwithstanding the comparative failure of the 

 summer fishing, herrings accounted for 92 per cent, of the total quantity 

 and 86 per cent, of the total value of fish landed, thus resuming their 

 accustomed pre-war position in the district returns. 



The total quantity of fish landed (exclusive of shell-fish) was 99,388 

 cwts. valued at £72,087, as compared with 15,283 cwts. and £18,053 m 

 the year 1919. Including shell-fish, the total value amounted to £82,177, 

 an increase of £56,220 on the figures for the preceding year. 



The catching and curing of herrings in Orkney district under the 

 Government Guarantee Scheme was confined to one centre, namely 

 Stronsav, but operations were conducted on a much smaller scale than 

 in pre-war years. Early in June, being confident that Government 

 assistance would be forthcoming, a number of curers put their stations 

 in order, and imported supplies of salt and fishcuring stock. Consider- 

 able anxiety and uncertainty prevailed when the first proposed scheme 

 was rejected by the Treasury, and, pending the result of further negotia- 

 tions, the curers cancelled the arrangements they had made for the 

 transport of their workers. The welcome announcement that the 

 amended scheme had been approved by the Treasury was the signal for 

 renewed activity; curing staffs were hurried to the scene of operations, 

 while a number of East Coast boats arrived to take part in the fishery. 

 At the commencement of the fishing eleven stations were open. Two 

 weeks later three more curers arrived, making in all 14 firms employing 

 146 crews of gutters and packers, most of whom were young and inex- 

 perienced. In 1914 there were employed in the district 346 crews of 

 skilled women workers. 



An auspicious start was made, the landings during the first few days 

 usually exceeding the working capacity of the shore staffs. On Wednes- 

 day, 30th June, the heaviest fishing of the season was landed, 147 

 arrivals having an aggregate catch of 3892 crans. This necessitated the 

 closing of the port for the two following days, to enable curers to work 

 up these excessive supplies. During the remainder of the season results 

 were disappointing. Occasionally the fishermen located fair shoals, but 

 as a rule the fishing was light and partial. The principal grounds were 

 off Copinshay, and from 18 to 35 miles S.E. by E. to S.E. by S. from 

 Stronsay. 



During the first week the guaranteed price of 45s. per cran was the 

 ruling figure for fresh herrings, while a large quantity was roused into 

 barrels at 40s. per cran. With light landings prices gradually rose to 

 upwards of 50s. per cran. At that figure curing was obviously unre- 

 munerative, and on 28th July the curers instituted a rationing scheme, 

 with 47s. per cran as the maximum price for fresh herrings. This 

 scheme caused great dissatisfaction amongst the fishermen, a number 

 of whom left for other ports where higher prices were occasionally 

 obtainable from freshers and kipperers. On 13th August, however, 

 several curers broke away from the "ring," and the highest price of the 

 season,' 57s. 3d. per cran, was paid for a small take of good quality 

 herrings. This virtually finished the fishing, as the majority of the 

 curers immediately ceased operations, and cleared out the greater part 

 of their staffs by special steamer on the following day. A few boats 

 and curers continued to work until the Guarantee Scheme expired on 



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