of the Fishery Board for Scotland, 



248 



That portion of the steam fleet which annually engages in the Scottish 

 and English herring fishings, in their season, also secured a large measure 

 of success. 



The aggregate catch and value of fish landed by the small-line fle<;t Small-line 

 from the inshore grounds has remained for years very light and almost Flsmn £- 

 stationary. This year it showed little change. In the Aberdeen section 

 alone, where a fleet of about 30 yawls was at work, the aggregate earn- 

 ings for the year were exactly .£60 more than in 1905. This branch of 

 the fishery has not been generally successful, and at best the men 

 engaged in it have for years been making no more than a bare livelihood. 



The summer herring fishing was successful. The aggregate catch was ^ e J?" g 

 greater than any for the past nine years ; but its most successful feature 1S ing * 

 was the large amount of money which the herrings realised. The daily 

 prices ranged between 25s, and 30s. per cran, and consequent on these 

 high rates the earnings of the fishermen were generally about the best 

 ever obtained. The values of herrings landed at Aberdeen during 1905 Value of 

 and 1906 were respectively £52,221 and £116,438. In all other 

 respects this fishery showed comparatively little change ; the exports to 

 the Continent, and the output in tinned herrings and kippers, continued 

 on the usual lines. 



Following the successful initial trial at herring fishing in Icelandic Scottish 

 waters which was made by two Scottish steamers in 1905, five steam jceKndic Her 

 trawlers, fitted with the requisite nets, proceeded to Iceland in June ring Fishery. 

 1906 for the purpose of engaging in this fishery. The herrings did not 

 appear until the end of J uly, and the fishing was practically concluded in 

 about five weeks following. Both the purse-seine and drift-nets were 

 used, but it was from the latter that the most uniformly successful results 

 were obtained. In the comparatively short period of the fishing the five 

 vessels made gross catches ranging from 1600 to 2000 crans each. The 

 bulk of these herrings were cured in the Scottish method and exported, 

 principally to Germany. 



As yet, however, the Germans do not appreciate the Icelandic herrings, 

 regarding them, for one thing, as too large. 



Owing to the heavy working expenses, and the absence of a demand 

 for herrings of such large size, it is to be feared that the venture did not 

 turn out profitably. 



Storms frequently hindered the progress of fishing, especially during Weather, 

 the spring and winter. 



In all, 10 fishermen were lost from the fleet in the course of the year, and Loss of Life 

 five steam fishing vessels and one yawl were totally lost, besides many yjjj^ Lost 

 minor losses of, and damage to, boats and fishing gear. 



In a word, the fisheries were carried on with unceasing energy, and 

 with a skill which none but British fishermen have as yet attained, and the 

 successful result was a well-earned reward. 



•James Ingram, 



Fishery Officer. 



Aberdeen, lQfh January 1907. 



Peterhead District. 



The herring fishery returns of the district for the year 1906 exhibit 

 a slight increase in quantity and a substantial increase in value as 

 compared with those of the preceding year. To fishermen the results 



