Fishery Board for Scotland. 
xxxiii 
From the above statement some idea may be formed of the great Value of 
importance and value of the herring fishery to the people of Hoot- to^pi^of 1 * 
land. Although the total quantity of herrings cured in 1891, when Scotland, 
compared with the average for the preceding ten years, shows a de- Decrease per 
crease of 15*77 per cent, yet it shows an increase of 7*8 per cent, JJjjJj average 
when compared with the average for the preceding twenty-five for preceding 
years, and of 37*57 per cent, for the preceding fifty years. The creased" 1 " 
extraordinary development of this fishery appears even more re- twenty-five . 
markable than is shown by these returns when it is remembered andfift y y ears - 
that in the year 1809, when the returns were first compiled by J^*^Jjjj& 
the former Board, Che total number of barrels cured was only since 1809. 
90,185 J ; while the number cured last year, as shown above, was 
1,126,072. 
Herrings Cured on Board Vessels and on Shore. 
Appendix A., No. II., shows the number of vessels fitted out in Herrings cured 
on boar " 
vessels. 
Scotland last year for the herring fishery ; the districts from which 01 
they were fitted out ; their tonnage and the number of men; the 
quantity of netting, salt, and empty barrels shipped; and the total 
number of barrels of white herrings cured on board ; distinguishing 
those cured gutted from those cured ungutted. 
For a number of years past, this branch of the industry, which is This branch 
carried on chiefly in the sea lochs on the west coast, has been of industry 
gradually declining. The results of 1891, however, although much cec miug ' 
under those of some years ago, when from 90 to upwards of 300 
vessels were engaged, show a slight increase over 1890 in the num- 
ber of vessels fitted out, and a considerable increase in the quantity 
of herrings cured on board. Efforts have been made during recent 
years to revive the industry on the east coast, but so far with little 
success, as the herrings have been found in greatest abundance on 
the inshore grounds; and no vessels were fitted out on the east 
coast in 1891 for this purpose. On the west coast, however, 
sixty-two vessels were employed, making seventy-one voyages, 
and curing 45,613 barrels on board ; being an increase of two 
vessels and 15,620 barrels over the figures for 1890. 
Appendix A., No. III., shows the total number of barrels of Total quantity 
white herrings cured or salted in Scotland last year, both on board cf^ 6 ^ ^sseis 
of vessels and on shore, and the districts in which they were and on shore, 
taken and cured, distinguishing the herrings cured gutted from 
those cured ungutted; and also the quantities of herrings cured 
as kippers, bloaters, or red herrings, or preserved in tins. 
The herrings cured as kippers, bloaters, or red herrings, or 
preserved in tins, are distinguished in this Appendix from those 
cured in the ordinary manner. 
