of flic Fisher// Hoard for Scotland. 
41 
and Shetland 54,169 crans, and the West Coast 193,711 crans. Of 
the gross catch landed, 137,196 crans were sold for use in a fresh 
state, and 925,234 crans cured, chiefly for exportation to the 
Continent. The most successful districts were Fraserburgh with 
204,272 crans, Peterhead 167,705 crans, Aberdeen 107,411 crans, 
Wick 99,079 crans, and Stornoway 69,480 crans. 
Sprat. — The sprat fishing of 1889 was a failure, the quantity 
taken amounting to only 1,249 crans, valued at £263, being 3061 
crans and £544 respectively, less than the preceding year, and no 
less than 31,751 crans and £5308 under 1887. The fluctuation in 
this fishing is more striking than in any of the other fisheries. 
Sprats are seldom taken except in the months of January, February, 
November, and December, and are usually got in the upper reaches 
of the Firths of Forth and Tay, and the Moray Firth. Occasionally 
a few are taken in the Stornoway and Fort William districts. This 
variety of fish is of comparatively little value, and when abundant 
a large portion of the catch is disposed of, at a very low figure, for 
manure. The average price obtained last year was Is. 2Jd. per cwt., 
that of 1888 being Is. 3d. 
Mackerel. — The quantity of mackerel landed last year was 664 
cwts., valued at £380, or an increase of 66 cwts., but a decrease of 
£17, in value as compared with 1888. The East Coast only yielded 
33 cwts., Orkney and Shetland 180 cwts., and the West Coast 451 
cwts., — Shetland, Greenock, and Fort William districts showing the 
largest quantities. This fishing has never -been a distinct one in 
Scotland, as most of the fish landed were caught in nets set for 
herrings. The average price obtained last year was lis. 5Jd. per cwt. 
while in the previous year it was 13s. 3£d. per cwt. 
Cod. — Last year's catch amounted to 503,663 cwts., valued at 
£172,100, being an increase over 1888 of 34,210 cwts., but a 
decrease in value to the extent of £33,694. This large decrease 
was, in a great measure, due to the low prices obtained at many of 
the stations during the season. The average price obtained by the 
fishermen for their catches was 6s. lOd. per cwt., or Is. 8d. below that 
of 1888. The most successful districts were Shetland, Leith, An- 
struther, Orkney, Wick, Peterhead, Aberdeen, and Stornoway. The 
East Coast yielded the largest quantity, amounting to 309,473 cwts., 
Orkney and Shetland 133,056 cwts., and the West Coast 61,134 
cwts. 
Of the total quantity landed beam- trawl vessels accounted for 
23,677 cwts., valued at £14,341, or an average of 12s. Id. per cwt. 
Most of their catches being landed in the districts of Leith, Aber- 
deen, and Ballantrae — the best fresh fish markets in Scotland — they 
commanded a higher average price than the general rate. 
Ling. — The total quantity of ling landed last year was, like the cod, 
in excess of the previous year, and the value less, the figures for 1889 
being 134,481 cwts., and £46,493, an increase in quantity of 
34,759 cwts., but a decrease of £2590 in value. The average price 
obtained was 6s. lOfd. per cwt;, against 9s. 7d. in 1888. The 
districts which showed the largest returns were Shetland, Storno- 
way, Orkney, Fraserburgh, Peterhead, Aberdeen, and Wick. The 
East Coast yielded 33,308 cwts., Orkney and Shetland 53,114 cwts., 
