PAKT L-GENERAL EEPORT- 
THE SEA FISHERIES OF SCOTLAND. 
General Statement. 
The Sea Fisheries of Scotlaad were successfully prosecuted Quantity and 
during 1890. The aggregate quantity of all kinds of white fish ^^{^''[J^^^J^^'**' 
lauded was 5,864,488J cwts., valued at £1,623,346, — the value of vaiue of shell- 
shell-fish landed was £68,613, — showing a gross total value for the fish, 
year of £1,691,959, against 5,589,239 cwts., valued at £1,454,175, Total value 
and shell-fish, valued at £63,201 in 1889. This gives an increase fisherieT 
in 1890 over 1889 of 275,249^ cwts., valued at £169,171, and of 
shell-fish, valued at £5,412; or a total increase in the value of 
both of £174,583. 
Of the total quantitv of white fish landed last year, beam trawl Fish landed by 
vessels accounted for"'291,812 cwts., valued at £203,620, against 
252,524i cwts., valued at £158,306, in 1889, or an increase of 
39,287f cwts., and £45,314, notwithstanding the closure of the 
territorial waters. Details will be founJ at page xxix of this 
Report, and in Appendix C. Nos. I and II. 
The number of fishermen and boys employed last year in con- Fishermen and 
nection with the Scottish Sea Fisheries was 47,150, being 793 less ^TboTsand^' 
than in 1889. In addition, 62,122 persons were employed during vessels en- 
a portion of the year, chiefly in connection with the summer herring g^s®^- 
fishery. The number of boats aad vessels engaged was 14,352, 
being 362 less than in the previous year; and the capital invested capital in- 
in boats, vessels, and fishing gear was estimated at £1,590,636, vested, 
being £12,671 less than in 1889. 
The herring fishery is the most important of all the fisheries. The The herring 
returns for the year 1890 were highly satisfactory, both as to the fishery, 
quantity and quality of the fish landed for the first half of the 
season. As compared with the preceding year, the gross catch 
showed an increase of 74,816J crans or 261,857f cwts., although 
there were fewer boats employed than in 1889. Fishing operations Commence- 
commenced at Stornoway and Barra about the usual time, the 15th arstomowa"^^ 
of May, and came to a very successful conclusion there about the andBarS!^^ 
middle of July, with a yield of 57,840 crans in excess of the 
previous year. High prices were realised, particularly for High prices 
Barra herrings. On the East Coast the summer fishing began realised, 
at Eyemouth on the lOlh of May, at Wiek on the 3rd June, ^^^[^^o^st 
Orkney 14th June, and Shetland 15th June. The date of com- 
mencement in the other districts varied from the 1st to the 
18th of July. The fishing was prosecuted regularly, and with 
