Fishery Board for Scotland. 
xix 
These statistics show that the total quantity of herrings cured in Net decrease 
1890 on both the East and West Coasts was les3 than in 1889 by igso^^anT'^^'' 
92,904 barrels; but the returns for the fifty years preceding last increase during 
year, on the average of each period of ten years, show a continuous ^^y^^f^"'^ ^^^^ 
large increase. The following statement gives the particular,? of 
this increase : — 
Period of Ten Years. 
Average Number 
of Barrels Cured 
Yearly in each 
Period. 
Increase in 
Average Number 
of Barrels Cured 
Yearly in each 
Period. 
Increase per cent. 
in Average 
Number of Barrels 
Cured Yearly in 
each Period. 
1840 to 1849 inclusive, 
1850 „ 1859 
1860 ,, 1869 
1870 „ 1879 
1880 1889 ,, 
550,4201 
590,448f 
666,751i 
850,875 
1,353,9191 
40,'028i 
76,302i 
184,123f 
503,044f 
7-27 
12-92 
27-61 
59-12 
Barrels Cured in 1890, . 1,304,603. 
Yearly average 
increase in 
periods of ten 
years. 
From an examination of the above statement, a general idea may 
be formed of the immense importance and value of the herring 
fishery, not only to those engaged in this industry, but to the 
people of Scotland generally. The total quantity of herrings cured 
in 1890, when compared with the average of the preceding ten 
years, shows a decrease of 3-79 per cent. ; when compared with the 
average of the preceding twenty-five years, an increase of 33*2 per 
cent.; and of the preceding fifty years, 62*57 per cent. The great 
yield of this fishery appears even more remarkable than is shown 
by these returns, when the fact is borne in mind that, in the year 
1809, when the returns were first compiled by the former Fishery 
Board, the whole number of barrels cured was only 90,185J ; while 
the number cured last year, as shown above, was 1,304,603. 
No. 1. Appendix A, gives some details taken from the reports of 
the inspectors and district officers regarding the herring fishery of 
1890 in each of the twenty-six districts into which the coasts of 
Scotland are divided for fishery purposes. 
Value of 
herring fishery 
to people of 
Scotland. 
Decrease per 
cent, in 1890 
under average 
of preceding 
ten, twenty- 
five, and in- 
crease over 
fifty years. 
Great develop- 
ment of fishery 
since 1809. 
Details regard- 
ing herring 
fishery. 
HERRINGS CURED ON BOARD VESSELS AND ON 
SHORE. 
No. II. Appendix A, shows the number of vessels fitted out in Herrings curec^ 
Scotland last year for the herring fishery ; the districts from which ^"gg^j^^^ 
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. 
This branch of the herring fishing industry has been carried on This branch 
chiefly among the sea bchs on the West Coast of Scotland, declining!^ 
but for a number of years it has been gradually declining. 
During recent years, however, efforts have been made to revive 
it on the East Coast, but, so far, it has proved unremunerative, 
partly owing to the herring shoals being found in greatest abund- 
