of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



117 



were inclined to attribute this unfortunate circumstance to the presence 

 of large numbers of dog-fish off the coast. The sea to the south and 

 east was also swarming with salpce, and an abundance of these is looked 

 upon as a sign of dearth of herrings. 



Curers had little or no profit and female employees earned less than 

 usual. Altogether the season of 1920 will be remembered by all con- 

 cerned as one of the most disappointing within recent times. 



Close on 24,000 barrels of matjes, large fulls and fulls in half barrels 

 were sold to American buyers. Good matjes realised from 75s. to 80s. 

 for two half barrels, and large fulls and fulls from 65s. to 76s. The 

 greater part of the remainder of the season's cure was handed over to 

 the Government. 



Large stocks of barrels were left on hand, and consequently a number 

 of coopers found difficulty in obtaining employment, but at the close of 

 the year the majority had got work. The stoppage of machinery in the 

 barrel factories threw many workmen out of employment. At rhe end 

 of the year the factory stores were full of barrels, and the output per 

 man from the cooperages has been reduced below the 1919 standard. 



Great-line fishing was prosecuted at Lerwick, Dunrossness and 

 Scalloway in spring and early summer. Long fish were not so plentiful 

 as usual off the Shetland coast, and results were below normal. 



The chief centres from which haddock fishing was carried on were 

 Scalloway, Lerwick, Whalsay and Skerries. Haddocks were fairly 

 plentiful, especially during the closing months of the year, but returns 

 from Aberdeen market were barely sufficient to leave a living wage to 

 the crews of motor boats, of which over 30 were at work. The 

 quantity of haddocks landed in the district was 15,180 cwts. valued at 

 £14,672, against 21,430 cwts. valued at £44,485 in 1919. A record 

 catch of 52 cwts. of haddocks was landed by a Burra Isle motor boat 

 on one occasion in December. 



Sixteen motor engines were installed in 1st class boats during the 

 year. Three 2nd class motor boats were burnt or wrecked. The motor 

 fleet belonging to the district now numbers 70 boats. 



Apart from the depressed state of the cured herring trade and its 

 bearing on herring fishery interests, the factors which were causing most 

 concern at the close of the year were the high cost of coals, oils and 

 fishing material generally, coupled with the comparatively low level to 

 which the price of fish had fallen. Fishermen who have motor engines 

 in their haddock boats are finding that they cannot afford to consume 

 oil, and are in some cases using their engines only on rare occasions. 

 The high freight rates charged for the conveyance of ice to the district 

 and of fish to Aberdeen reduces the value of white fish locally. The 

 smoking of haddocks has been commenced at Lerwick and Whalsay, 

 and this may enable fishermen at these places to secure better returns 

 for their labours. 



Alexr. E. M'Kenzie. 



Fishery Officer. 



Fishery Office. 

 Lerwick, 8^ January 1921. 



Stornoway District. 



A noticeable feature in connection with the fisheries of this district 

 is the decreased number of firms who now frequent the port of Stornoway 

 as compared with former years, especially those whose business it is to 

 supply the home markets with herrings during the regular seasons. 



