260 Appendices to Twenty-fifth Annual Report 



This increase in the means of capture is necessary to the upkeep of the 

 quantity. The year's results show a slight decrease both in quantity and 

 value from those of the preceding year. 

 Casualties. There was only one life lost during the year, and, fortunately, the loss 



of property and fishing gear was comparatively small compared with the 

 year 1905. 



Walter Duff, 



Fishery Officer. 



Wick, 4th January 1907. 



Orkney District. 



General Taken as a whole, the results of the various fisheries of the district 



Remarks. exhibit no very marked change, either in volume or value, from those 

 obtained in 1905. There was a decrease in the quantity of herrings 

 landed, but an increase in value, the former being the result of the com- 

 plete failure of the herring fishing at Stronmess, and the latter of the 

 enhanced prices received lor herrings at Stronsay and Sanday. All the 

 other fishings showed increases in both quantity and value, and the net 

 results are a decrease of 17,628 cwts. and an increase of £7826 in 

 quantity and value respectively. 

 Means of There is no change of any importance to record in either the number, 



Capture. tonnage, and value of boats, the extent and value of gear, or the number 

 of persons employed in the capture of fish during the year. In a district 

 like this, where the fishermen combine crofting with fishing, new and 

 improved methods are not so readily adopted as in places where the 

 fishermen confine themselves exclusively to fishing and changes in boats 

 and materials are less frequent. 

 Early Herring As already stated, the early herring fishing at Strom ness was a complete 

 Fishmg. failure. The fishermen, as formerly, adhered to the close time until the 

 11th May. On that date 140 boats commenced operations, but from the 

 start there was no great appearance of fish on the ground, and the fleet 

 gradually dwindled away till by the 15th June all the boats had gone. 

 The few herrings landed were of good quality, and prices ruled at from 

 18s. to 32s. per cran — by no means a high figure when the short catch is 

 taken into account. 



An unusually early start was made at Stronsay. While at Stromness 

 several of the fishermen tried the east side of the Orkneys with good 

 success. Consequently they removed to Stronsay, and as several of the 

 curers with their staff of workers were already on the ground, curing 

 operations were in full swing by the end of June. The fishing was success- 

 fully prosecuted till the end of August. The number of boats engaged 

 varied considerably during the season, but the average number was 90, 

 and these had an average catch of 344 crans. In the early part of the 

 season, and till well into July, the herrings were of a peculiar character, 

 very fat and of fine flavour, much resembling west coast matjes, in 

 imitation of which a considerable quantity were put up and shipped as 

 matjes. Generally speaking, the quality was good throughout the season, 

 and as there were six additional curers, the demand was keen and good 

 prices were obtained — ranging from 16s. to 31s. per cran. As a result 

 of the success of the fishing in June and July an earlier start will be 

 made next season, and curers are already engaging gutters and packers 

 with a view to commencing operations on the 12th June. 



