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Appendices to Thirty -ninth Annual Report 



This decrease is no doubt due to the high cost of freight and other 

 expenses, which have become so heavy in the working of the more remote 

 stations. In other respects the advantages derived from carrying on 

 business at ports near a rail head are considerable, and in these days, 

 when the majority of fishing vessels are fitted with motive power, there is a 

 growing tendency to use such ports, and this will undoubtedly have an 

 adverse effect on the prosperity of the fisheries of this district. 



Although three steam drifters were added to the fleet during the year 

 the number belonging to the district still remains the same as last year, 

 for one vessel was lost in local waters while engaged at the summer 

 herriDg fishing, and other two were totally wrecked on their way to 

 Yarmouth to take part in the herring fishing from that port. 

 Fortunately no loss of life took place in either case, and the crews were 

 able to salve their gear. 



The number of motor boats has been increased by five, and 

 seemingly there is a desire on the part of owners of half-sized boats to 

 obtain motor engines, but the question of finance has hitherto been the 

 great drawback. 



Altogether 26 first class sail boats remain on the register for the 

 district, being five less than last year. In the course of the year quite 

 a number of small-sized Orkney built boats were acquired by local crews, 

 while considerable repair work was executed on many of the older second 

 and third class boats which had been lying unused for a few years 

 previously. 



Compared with the preceding year the total quantity and value of 

 fish landed in the district show decreases of 43,313 cwts. and £96,464, 

 which are chiefly accounted for by the decreased landings of herrings 

 during the winter months, and the lower prices ruling for fish of all 

 kinds. The usual winter fishing commenced in earnest in January, and 

 was engaged in by a large fleet until near the end of February. 

 Despite the fact that fishing operations were conducted over a very wide 

 area herrings were not in great abundance, and in addition the quality 

 was generally poor. The presence of mackerel on the grounds was 

 another feature usually considered adverse to herring fishing. Bad 

 weather hampered the movements of the fleet to a considerable extent, 

 and loss of nets was of frequent occurrence. As a general rule the best 

 catches were secured in the vicinity of Cape Wrath. The greater part 

 of the catch was kippered and freshed, and the quantity cured for ex- 

 port, especially ungutted, was very much less than in 1919. 



The resumption of herring fishing in May saw the arrival of a number 

 of stranger crews, who along with the local fishermen continued 

 fishing until early in June. Up to that time good prices were paid 

 for the herrings, but one day a heavier catch than usual arrived 

 and prices dropped to £1 per cran. The agitation for Government 

 assistance was then at its height, and acting on advice from the East 

 Coast, stranger crews abandoned operations and left for home. Local 

 crews also seemed inclined to stop fishing, but on kippering firms agree- 

 ing to pay 50s. per cran for a certain quantity of herrings, operations 

 were continued without interruption. When the Guarantee Scheme was 

 approved by the Government all the stranger kippering firms took their 

 departure for the East Coast, and the disposal of the catch then depended 

 almost solely on the curers. In view of their experience of former summer 

 seasons, no great preparations had been made by the local curers to cope 

 with even a moderate day's fishing. Very few had any gutters engaged 

 until June 26th, when the arrival of the boats with good catches 

 encouraged them to look out for workers. On the date referred to over 1000 

 crans were landed, and in consequence of the shortage of labour about 400 



