of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



115 



were totally wrecked. The estimated loss of fishing gear, principally 

 lobster creels, amounted to £257. 



Although two years have elapsed since hostilities ceased, little has 

 been done towards the re establishment of the fishery interests belong- 

 ing to the district. During the war a number of the largest and best 

 equipped herring fishing boats were sold out of the district. These have 

 not been replaced, the cost of modern fishing craft and gear being pro- 

 hibitive, and only six district crews took part in the summer herring 

 fishery. The local herring curers have not resumed their pre-war 

 activities, while the curing of cod, ling, etc., which, prior to the war* was 

 a flourishing industry, is now entirely neglected. The crofter-fishermen 

 now direct most of their energies to the 'working of their land, giving 

 little attention to the net and line fisheries. Lobster fishing, however, 

 is still a popular method of supplementing their incomes, and is 

 vigorously prosecuted during the summer months when the crofts re- 

 quire little attention. Altogether, the position of the fishery interests of 

 the district is far from being satisfactory, and unfortunately there are 

 no indications of any marked improvement in the immediate future. 



Robt. H. Johnston, 



Fishery Officer. 



Fishery Office, 

 Kirkwall, 2lst January 1921. 



Shetland District. 



Herring fishing has been for many years the chief interest of the 

 regular and crofter fishermen in Shetland district. The position of the 

 local fishing industry and allied trades will therefore be readily ap- 

 preciated in view of the state of the continental cured herring markets. 

 The assistance given by the Government during the past two years has 

 enabled business to be carried on to an appreciable extent, but towards 

 the close of the year the large stocks of cured herrings on hand, and the 

 announcement by the Government that no further assistance can be 

 looked for, caused all those concerned to take a gloomy view of the 

 immediate future. Especially was this the case with owners of steam- 

 drifters and large motor boats. Working expenses were so high that 

 they were perplexed as to what course of action they ought to pursue. 

 Many will probably decide to give great-line fishing a trial for a longer 

 period than usual, and if that fishing proves remunerative, and the 

 demand for herrings is limited, they may continue to fish for long fish 

 during the greater part of the spring and summer. The majority of the 

 men who work sailing boats in summer have crofts, and meantime a 

 good livelihood is being derived from that occupation. Even if they had 

 perforce to allow their boats to remain on the beach they would be in a 

 position to tide over one season. These men could, however, afford to 

 catch herrings at a lower price than the crews of power-propelled vessels. 

 West side and Lerwick regular fishermen who possess second class motor 

 boats are in a position to make a living with lines and cod nets all the 

 year round provided fish prices are maintained at a reasonable level. 



The demand for herrings in winter and early spring last year was 

 limited to the local kippering and freshing requirements, and only a 

 small number of crews fitted out for that season. Herrings were abun- 

 dant off Flugga, but weather conditions were exceptionally severe, and 

 the crews engaged did not succeed in making the work remunerative. 



In anticipation of the Government Guarantee, extensive preparations 



