of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



231 



month alone, for the season under review, totalled 40,000 crans, or more 

 than one-third of the season's catch, the quality also being satisfactory. 

 For the first time in the history of the port several Irish girls, belonging 

 to the neighbourhood of Downingsbay, arrived at Wick for the purpose 

 of gutting and packing the herrings. The poor catches in August, due 

 greatly to weather conditions, account for the falling-off in the quantity 

 branded. Exportations throughout the season were brisk, curers selling 

 out as soon as the curing process was completed. Cod, which had been Cod and Had- 

 exceedingly scarce for a number of years, were again found on the ^MoFi^irth 

 favourite grounds in the Moray Firth, and good catches secured ; while 111 1 ° ray Ir 

 haddock fishing also showed signs of revival, the total landings show- 

 ing an increase of over 1000 cwts. as compared with those of the previous 

 year. During the season the Caithness fishermen devoted more attention 

 to great-line fishing than they have done for several years past. 



Thirty-one vessels — 13 steamers and 18 sailers — belonging to the port Earnings of 

 prosecuted the herring fishing at Yarmouth and Lowestoft. Although ^f^at^^ 

 the sail-boats were not so successful as in 1905, the average earnings of Yarmouth and 

 the steamers were close upon £160 above those of the preceding year. Lowestoft. 



A considerable number of fishermen belonging to Helmsdale district Helmsdale 

 left home about the end of April to join boats belonging to other districts Employment 

 as hired hands. Twenty-two boats belonging to the district were engaged as Hired 

 in the herring fishing at Shetland. All the steamers were also employed Hands, 

 there. The sail- boats met with varied success. Good earnings were, 

 however, secured by the steamers, one of which earned £1600. There 

 were 9 steamers and 4 sail-boats at the English herring fishing. In 1905 

 no sail-boats proceeded to England. Haddocks were more abundant on 

 the coast than has been the case for several years back ; but, owing to the 

 attention given to the herring fishing at Yarmouth, fewer boats were this 

 season employed at line fishing. 



With the exception of the Avoch men, the majority of the fishermen Success of 

 belonging to Cromarty district find employment on the East Coast and Avoch 

 at Shetland as hired hands. Practically the whole of the herring fleet Flshermen - 

 belongs to Avoch. Nine boats prosecuted the herring fishing at Down- 

 ingsbay, Ireland, and 14 at Castlebay. Five of the boats at Ireland 

 netted from £200 to £350 each ; while the earnings of those at Castlebay 

 ranged from £40 to £300. Within recent years the fishermen of this 

 creek, in contrast to their neighbours in Easter-Ross, who have run out of 

 boats and gear, have bettered themselves considerably. Besides owning 

 first-class boats, a number of them possess, individually, large fleets of 

 nets. They follow up the fishings from Ireland to Great Yarmouth. 

 The extension of the harbour, which is practically finished, will be of 

 great advantage to the fishermen in ballasting, shipping, and landing 

 their material. Fourteen boats fitted out for the English herring fishing, 

 as against eleven in 1905. The success which attended their operations 

 was slightly better than that of boats of the same class belonging to other 

 districts. 



Remunerative earnings were made by Cromarty fishermen at line Haddock 

 fishing. During the months of October and November the SUCCeSS of the Q r0 iria?ty un- 

 crews employed at haddock fishing was unusually good. Fishermen usually good, 

 report that haddocks have returned to their former haunts in the Moray 

 Firth, which they attribute to fewer trawlers being at work in tnose 

 waters. 



In Buckie district there is an increase of 33 steamers as compared with Increase of 

 last year's fleet. Twenty-six of these were built in the district, repre- ^Stie™ ln 

 senting in value upwards of £67,000. To the surprise and satisfaction district, 

 of the fishermen of the district, the shoals of herring made their appear- 



