The results of the Scottish fisheries during the past decade are summarised in the following table: In the interests of economy, and in accordance with the practice now being generally adopted by H.M. Stationery Office, the Statistical Tables have this year for the first time been published separately.† Certain changes have also been made in the form of the tables, particularly in Table B., No. II. (pp. 52-83), the method of showing the catch mainly according to the Fishery Districts where landed, which dates from a period when operations were more restricted in area than is now the case, and when catches were taken for the most part just off the coast where they were brought ashore, having been modified in favour of a system by which the catch and value from the different fishing regions, and the total contributions of the various methods of capture, are clearly brought out, while at the same time the information as to the places of landing is to a large extent retained. During the year the Board lost by death the services of Mr. Robert Duthie, Chief Inspector of Sea Fisheries, and of Mr. Jas. Donaldson, Inspector at Aberdeen, both officers of ripe judgment and experience. The post of Chief Inspector was filled by the promotion of Mr. Jas. Ritchie, Inspector, while Mr. Alex. E. M'Kenzie, Fishery Officer, Lerwick, was promoted to be Inspector at Aberdeen. * Exclusive of landings by foreign fishing vessels. + Fishery Board for Scotland-Sea Fisheries-Statistical Tables, 1922 CHAPTER II. MEANS OF CAPTURE AND PERSONS ENGAGED. Owing to the extremely adverse circumstances of the industry it is not a matter for surprise that for the time being it shows no signs of expansion. During the past year conditions were not such as to attract capital, and it is probable that much of that already invested in the industry would have been withdrawn had it been practicable to do so. Similarly as regards the persons employed, young fishermen who normally would have occupied an independent position became hired hands on steam trawlers, or entered the mercantile marine, and many, it is believed, would have sought employment in other industries but for the general depression and unemployment which prevailed. In the Hebrides the emigration to Canada of the crofter fishermen attained dimensions sufficient to attract popular attention, and Shetland also lost some of its fishing population through their departure overseas. No steam fishing vessel of any type was constructed in Scotland during the year, and a further heavy depreciation took place in the value of the existing fleets of trawlers, liners, and drifters alike. Steam trawlers sold at about one-third of the highest prices reached three years earlier, and steam drifters changed hands at less than pre-war prices, while large motor boats did not realise as much as the original cost of the motors with which they were fitted. Boat-building was largely confined to medium sized motor boats and small sail boats, the total number launched with the respective values being as follows: Particulars of the vessels, gear, and men employed in fishing from Scottish ports are shewn in Tables A.-No. I. (Statistical Tables, pp. 3-15) and A.—No II. (pp. 16-47), the latter of which, however, excludes visiting vessels belonging to English ports, which during the year comprised 108 steam drifters, 3 steam liners, and 17 steam trawlers. Including those vessels the total for Scotland last year numbered 7545 of an aggregate value of £4,479,989, as compared with 7648 valued at £6,226,818 in 1921. Of the total 3030 were sailing or rowing boats of less than 18 feet keel; larger sailing boats numbered 1159, motor boats 2020, and steam vessels 1336. This fleet was manned by 31,689 fishermen (of whom 1275 were on the English vessels) as compared with 32,183 engaged in the preceding year. The accompanying chart illustrates how the motor and steam drifter and liner fleets belonging to Scotland have grown since 1906. The rate of increase of motor vessels, which was very rapid while the existing sailing boats were being equipped with motor power, especially under the stimulus of war conditions, has again slowed down. The number of large motor boats is in fact now declining, because converted sailing boats-which the great majority of them are-cannot successfully compete with steam drifters in ordinary circumstances. The number of steam drifters and liners shows a slight recovery, due on the one hand to an increase in the number of steam vessels belonging to Aberdeen which were worked during the year as liners instead of trawlers, and on the other to a reversion to drifting of vessels of the drifter type belonging to Buckie which in 1921 were engaged in trawling. The number of trawlers shows a reduction, partly accounted for by the transfer to the drifter and liner classes. In addition the fleet of the Montrose Fishing Company, brought together during the post-war boom, was dispersed during the year, some of the vessels going to English ports; and two trawlers, by means of which an effort had been made to develop white-fish fishing from Stranraer, were definitely transferred to Fleetwood. Fewer English trawlers worked from Aberdeen than in the preceding year, as the prospects at the port were not considered sufficiently attractive, especially in view of the growing competition of the German landings. The fishing vessels lost at sea during the year numbered 6 trawlers, 8 drifters or liners, including 1 large liner, 16 motor boats, and 19 sail boats, a total of 49, valued at £65,163. The casualties among large motor boats, of which 11 were lost, were disproportionately heavy. In addition damage to boats was suffered estimated at £48,694, and to gear, chiefly trawls and drift nets, estimated at £129,808, making a grand total loss of £243,665, besides losses sustained in fishings off the English and Irish coasts. The only substantial increase in the quantity of fishing gear is shown in the case of Danish seine nets, this method of fishing having been adopted by a fair number of steam and some motor drifters belonging for the most part to the south side of the Moray Firth. Great lines, to which also the drifter crews were forced to give additional attention, show a moderate increase, as do also crab and lobster creels, which are being more extensively used by inshore fishermen as providing an inexpensive working outfit, but all other kinds show decreases. The corresponding values except as regards Danish seines show decreases in every case on a much more pronounced scale, due partly to a reduction in prices as compared with the preceding year, but mainly to deterioration. The difficult position of drift net fishermen owing to their inability to renew their gear was referred to in the Board's last Report. During the year, however, it became markedly worse. Not only were the great majority of crews actually short of an adequate supply of nets, but those they had were in most cases old and worn and therefore inefficient for fishing, and very liable to be damaged and lost if struck by a heavy shoal of herrings. Fishermen are still working chiefly on their pre-war stocks of nets, which last year must have been at least eight years old; whereas their practice used to be to renew a portion of their outfit annually and discard all nets after three or four years' use. A reduction in prices during the year from |