of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



235 



Leifh District. 



The results of the different branches of the fisheries carried on in the General 

 district for the year 1906 were, on the whole, satisfactory. The aggregate Remarks - 

 quantity and value show a slight increase on the returns of preceding 

 year. This is entirely due to the landings from trawl vessels. In fact, 

 84 per cent, of the fish landed is taken by trawl vessels. 



The district net and line fishings were attended with somewhat 

 unsatisfactory results. Still, although the fishermen were not so for- 

 tunate at the herring fishing on the Scottish and English coasts as in 

 1905, their earnings for the year were up to the average. 



The means of capture returns relating to sail boats show practically no Means of 

 change from those of 1905. Steam power for net and line fishing has Ca P tme - 

 been introduced into the district for the first time by utilising five of the 

 smaller class of trawl vessels for that purpose — three being employed at line 

 fishing and two at herring fishing. Several steam drifters have, since the 

 close of the season, been contracted for and will be ready next summer. 



The winter herring fishing prosecuted from Dunbar and Newhaven Winter Her- 

 by 30 to 50 boats during the period from January to March was fairly rin & Fishing, 

 successful. About 60 per cent, of the herrings landed duriug that period 

 were exported to the German markets in a fresh or iced condition. 



No regular fleet of boats prosecute the summer herring fishing in the Summer Her 

 district, tfiQ larger class of local boats preferring to leave home and fish at rin & Ashing, 

 the chief ports on the Scottish and English coasts. The highest number 

 of boats employed in any one week was only eight, and the total catch 

 amounted to 1357 crans, all of which were used in a fresh condition or 

 kippered. 



The sprat fishing was practically a failure. The small quantity landed Sprat Fishing, 

 was obtained by boats working in the upper reaches of the Firth of Forth 

 with bag-nets. Drift-net fishing, when tried, proved a complete failure. 



The facilities for the rapid conveyance of cured herrings from Exports of 

 Leith to the Continent by the regular trading steamers is a j£e^in<*s 

 great inducement to exporters to send th^ir herrings here for ' 

 shipment, and the exportation of cured herrings throughout the 

 whole year, particularly during the summer months, was considerable. 

 Large quantities of early-caught herrings were sent weekly, chiefly to 

 German ports. The following table shows the total exportations for the 

 past five years : — 



Years. 



Barrels of Cured Herrings Exported. 



Contine nt 



Ireland. 



Out of Europe. 



Total. 



1902 

 1903 

 1904 

 1905 

 1906 



242,337 



184,550 



208,640! 



263,109| 



322,8894 



1093 

 581 



1328 

 672 

 523 



740 



244,170 



185,131 



209,968^ 



263,781| 



323,4124 



The trawling industry was carried on with great energy during the Trawling, 

 year. Five new vessels of the largest type were added to the fleet, but 



