of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 
1 3 
December, both inclusive, 40,130 barrels were cured for exportation, and 
7792 barrels cured ungutted, or as kippers and bloaters, — the total 
numbering 47,922 barrels, — or an increase of 16,882 barrels over 1888. 
The weather was fairly good, with the exception of the week ended 24th 
August, when the boats were only able to go to sea on one night. 
The winter fishing commenced on 3rd January and closed at the end of 
February, the total catch being 3661 crans, — an increase of 1091 crans 
over 1888. The chief fishing ground was off Troup Head, but several 
takes were brought from Orkney. Prices ranged from 14s. to 42s. per 
cran, the average obtained being about 18s. The herrings were cured as 
kippers and bloaters, or roused, for the English markets. In the course 
of the year 6 fishermen lost their lives at sea; 3 boats were totally 
wrecked, and 6 damaged, — the loss together, with that on nets and lines, 
amounting to £2109 
Findhorn District. 
From west side of Spey to south side of Kessock Ferry, both inclusive. 
District Fishery Office — Burghead. 
The summer herring fishing which commenced on 9th July and closed 
on 31st August was prosecuted by 104 boats, 46 of which fished from 
Lossiemouth, 20 from Hopeman, and 38 from Burghead. The average 
catch per boat was 198 crans, against 140 crans in 1888. The most pro- 
ductive week of the season was that ended 20th July which yielded 3985 
crans. The largest single take was 78 crans, and the highest aggregate 
catch of any one boat 320 crans. The general fishing ground was from 
5 to 7 miles south-east of Tarbetness. The herrings were of very inferior 
quality all through the season, only a small portion being full fish. None 
of the boats were engaged to curers, the fishermen selling their fish daily. 
Prices ranged from 5s. to 14s. per cran, the average price being 8s. 6d. 
The total quantity of herrings cured was 30,205 barrels, being 7613 
barrels more than in 1888. The w T eather was remarkably fine throughout 
the season, the boats getting regularly to sea. 
The winter herring fishing yielded 1411 crans, as compared with 1361 
crans in 1888. Prices ranged from 5s. to 25s. per cran, — 413 crans being 
prepared as bloaters, and the remainder sent to market fresh. The 
number of boats belonging to the district is 398, being a decrease of 15 
as compared with the preceding year. No lives were lost in connection 
with the fisheries, but 2 boats were totally wrecked, and 10 damaged. 
The total loss on boats, nets, and lines was £1601. 
Cromarty District. 
From north side'of Kessock Ferry to south side of Meikle Ferry, 
both inclusive. 
District Fishery Office — Cromarty. 
In Cromarty district there are 189 herring boats, but of these only 44 
were employed in the district, viz., 40 at Portmahomack, 2 at Cromarty, 
and 2 at other stations, the remainder having removed to other places 
on the east coast during the fishing season. At Portmahomack — the 
