232 



Appendices to Twenty-fifth Annual Report 



ance off the coast at a much earlier period than usual, and the small fleet 

 operating met with a much larger measure of success than in 1905. In 

 quality the herrings surpassed any that have been landed in the district 

 for many years back, and the fish realised satisfactory prices. In July 

 calm weather seriously interfered w T ith the progress of the fishing. 



The greater part of the fleet prosecuted the herring fishing at Fraserburgh, 

 Peterhead, and Shetland. The average earnings of the sail-boats were 

 .£320, and of the steamers ,£1050. The best sailer earned .£870, while 

 the amount secured by the most successful steamer was .£1700. In 

 October 101 steamers and 225 sail-boats proceeded to Yarmouth and 

 Lowestoft. The steamers secured an excellent fishing, while the sailers 

 Record Earn- were only moderately successful. It is estimated that upwards of 

 of Reason's 111 * ^400,000 have been earned during the year by the fishermen of this 

 Success. district at the various fishings on the Scottish and English coasts. As a 

 result of the season's success, some fifty new steamers are being negotiated 

 for with Scottish and English builders. 

 Herring Shoals The result of the herring fishing in Findhorn district was most gratify - 

 ReacheYof m %' shoals were struck on grounds in the upper reaches of the 



the Moray Moray Firth, where they have not been found for many years back. 

 Firth. Another feature of the fishing was the early appearance of the fish in the 



firth. The quality of the herrings was also considered satisfactory, and 

 Boats at good prices were obtained. The herring fleet working at the great centres 

 Lowestoft on -^ asfc Coast and Shetland had an excellent season. In autumn, 

 19 steamers and 120 sail-boats prosecuted the herring fishing on the 

 English coast, as against 16 and 110 respective!} 7 in 1905, their success 

 being similar to that of the boats belonging to the neighbouring districts. 

 Building Three steamers were this season built in the district, and orders for 



Patentsii aD "Ut a dozen new vessels have been placed with builders at Aberdeen, 

 erected at Portgordon, Yarmouth, and Lowestoft. The local builders have also 

 Lossiemouth, booked orders. A patent slip, for the convenience of repairing, cleaning 



and painting the vessels, has also been erected at Lossiemouth. 

 Large increase In the catch of white fish there is a large increase over the figures of 

 Haddock° f 1905. Haddocks, the landings of which show an increase of upwards 



of 5000 cwts , were in large shoals on the coast. 

 Success of During the latter months of the year the herring fishing in the Beauty 



Hen;ing an d Inverness Firths opened a month earlier than usual, thus following 

 Inverness. taG ^ eac ^ °^ tne wno ^ e east coast. The fishing was prosecuted with a 

 Remunerative large measure of success, the total landings at Inverness being 3295 

 Prices. crans and the average price per cran 16s. ljd., as compared with 2162 



crans at 8s. 3d. in 1905. The high price was maintained by the com- 

 petition of foreign buyers with local dealers. Close upon 400 barrels of 

 Cut Herrings, "cut" herrings were exported this season by a Scottish curer. This 

 Quantity j g a me thod of curing small herring, for the continental and 



exported. . , . p • • > T r- i i 



American trade, originated by an enterprising Norwegian mm, who, about 

 Sprat Fishing, ten years ago, introduced this method of cure at Inverness. The sprat 

 Poor catch. fishing was almost a failure. For those landed there was a keen demand 



and prices ruled high. 

 Mackerel In the early part of the year mackerel were abundant off the Lewis 



West n CoasV hC coasfc anc * S 00 ^ catcnes were secured. Again in summer the fish made 

 their appearance in the Minch. In Barra district there is an increase of 

 several hundred cwts. upon the catch of the preceding year. Although 

 mackerel were plentiful in the South Uist lochs, the fishing was not 

 vigorously prosecuted owing to the lack of buyers. On account of the poor 

 prospects in the American markets, two stranger firms who cured in 

 previous years did not open stations in 1906. On the north coast of 

 Skye this fishing has been the most successful for several years back. 

 Practically the whole of the catch in Loch Carron and Skye district was 

 despatched to the southern markets in a fresh state. 



