of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 
1 L 
Fraserburgh District. 
From Rattray Head, inclusive, to Troup Head, exclusive. 
District Fishery Office — Fraserburgh. 
The herring fishing of 1889 commenced on 25th June, but did not 
became general before the 10th July. It was regularly prosecuted till 
7th September when it practically closed, although a few boats continued 
to fish for a week longer. The fleet numbered 750 boats, of which 258 
belonged to this district — 7 boats fishing from Rosehearty, 20 from 
Pittulie, and 723 from Fraserburgh — showing an increase of 48 over the 
preceding year. Thirteen boats were engaged to curers at 12s. per cran 
for 100 crans after 20th July, and 14s. after completion of that contract. 
With this exception the herrings were disposed of privately or by auction. 
Prices varied from 7s. to 24s. per cran, according to quality and time of 
delivery. At Rosehearty the average catch for each boat during the 
season was 190 crans, at Pittulie 195, and at Fraserburgh 240, which 
gave a total catch of 203,421 crans, or an average of 271 crans per boat. 
The most successful boat landed about 700 crans, 301 of which were 
delivered in three consecutive takes. The lowest aggregate catch was 94, 
but a large number of boats secured from 300 to 500 crans. The price 
per cran averaged about 14s. The largest single take was 115J crans, 
but takes of 80 to 110 crans were often brought ashore. The weeks 
ended 13th and 20th July, 3rd and 17th August, and 7th September 
were the most productive, — the averages being 50^, 28, 25, 46, and 55 
crans respectively. Early in the season the fishing was prosecuted from 
20 to 40 miles N.E. of Fraserburgh, but the bulk of the catch was taken 
within 18 miles of the land. The proportion of 'fulls' was under 
that of last year, but the quality proved much superior, the fish being 
unusually large and well developed, varying in size from 610 to 749 to 
the barrel. Spents were equal to former years, but in many cases maties 
were inferior, particularly those of 27th August and 3rd September. The 
loss of netting sustained by fouling, weight of fish meshed, and stress of 
weather was estimated at <£4110. The total quantity of herrings cured 
was 308,121 barrels, of which 294,558 were cured gutted, 1719 crans 
were sent fresh or lightly salted to market, 11,452 crans were kippered or 
preserved in tins, and 255 made into reds ; 6750 crans were also disposed 
of for consumption fresh in the district, and 7252 crans sent to other 
places. These figures exhibit a total increase of 137,521 barrels cured, 
and 6238 crans consumed fresh over that of 1888. 
The winter and spring fishing was unsuccessful, and yielded only 851 
crans, part of which was used for baiting long lines, the remainder being 
made into kippers or sent fresh to market. Prices greatly varied, ranging 
from 12s. to 40s. per cran, showing an average of about 22s. per cran. 
One fishing smack was totally wrecked, and 35 boats sustained damage 
amounting to £420. Fortunately there was no loss of life in connection 
with the fishing this season, and only 7 fishing nights were lost by stormy 
weather. 
Banff District. 
From Troup Head, inclusive, to Cullen, exclusive. 
District Fishery Office — Macduffi 
The summer herring fishing in Banff district for 1889, unlike the short 
season of 1888, extended over a period of eight weeks. It began on 8th 
