8 
Appendices to Eighth Annual Report 
ended 20th July. It was brought to a close on 7th September, after 
which date only 33 crans were landed in the district. The fishing was 
more successful than in 1888, but the quality of the herrings was 
inferior, the proportion of maties or small fish being greater, and the 
proportion of large full fish less than in that year, while the quantity 
of spent herrings was not so great. A fleet of 156 boats were 
employed during the season, as compared with 126 in 1888, of which 
150 belonged to the district, 4 to Anstruther, and 2 to Leith, and of these 
39 fished from Gourdon, 13 from Johnshaven, 83 from Montrose, 19 
from Arbroath, and 2 from Broughty Ferry and Dundee. The whole 
fleet, excepting 6 boats, were engaged to curers, the average price 
per cran for the season being about 13s. 6d., as against 12s. 8d. in 1888. 
The herrings were caught chiefly on the fishing grounds between Arbroath 
and Gourdon, and at distances of from 10 to 38 miles from land. During 
7 nights of the season most of the boats were prevented from going to 
sea by rough weather. The total catch of herrings was 37,452 crans, and 
the average per boat 240 crans, as compared with 24,065 and 190f crans 
respectively in 1888. The average gross takes per boat landed at the 
several stations were : — Gourdon, 155 crans ; Johnshaven, 149 ; Montrose, 
248; Arbroath, 218| ; and Broughty Ferry and Dundee, 166J crans. 
The average weekly catch, per boat, for the nine weeks the fishing was in 
operation, beginning 13th July, was 7, 31 J, 35, 39J, 31J, 48£, 2J, 9$, 
and 5J crans respectively. The heaviest fishing w T as landed in the week 
ended 17th August, when the average was 48 J crans per boat. During 
that week there were many takes ranging from 70 to 90 crans, — the 
largest individual takes being landed on the 15th and 16th August, one 
of 116 crans at Montrose, and the other at Arbroath of 106 crans. The 
most successful boat caught 360 crans for the season, and the least success- 
ful 47 crans. 
The winter and spring herring fishing of the district was attended with 
little better success than in 1888 ; the total catch being only 713 crans, 
or an increase of 171 crans, compared with 1888. The prices varied 
greatly, ranging from 2s. to 30s. per cran. The total catch of herrings for 
1889 was 38,165 crans against 24,607 crans for 1888. 
Stonehaven District. 
From Bervie, exclusive, to Skateraw, inclusive. 
District Fishery Office — Stonehaven, 
In Stonehaven district the summer herring fishing opened on 1st July 
— a fortnight earlier than in the previous year — and closed on 6th 
September. Until the 9th of July, it was prosecuted only to a limited 
extent, as the herrings landed before that date were of a very inferior 
quality, for which there was little demand. Thereafter, till 17th August, 
it was carried on with fair success, the weekly averages per boat for the 
six w r eeks embraced in that period being 20, 32J, 15, 35, 22J, and 24 
crans respectively. During the remainder of the season the results 
generally were unsatisfactory, only 1495 crans being landed, 807 crans 
of which were captured on 3rd September. Nearly all that day's catch, 
however, consisted of spent fish. The most productive week was that 
ended 3rd August. The aggregate catch for the season amounted to 
14,736 crans, against 16,050 crans in 1888. There were 68 boats 
