scarcity of herrings was experienced until March. When fish became more abundant they were not in demand and consequently low prices were realised. The fish were generally of good quality, and early in the season prices ranged from 26s. to 87s. per cran, but later only from 4s. to 14s.

At Wick and Scrabster the prosecution of the fishing was greatly interrupted by the boisterous weather that prevailed and the season was to most crews unremunerative. Local steamers had earnings ranging from £133 to £937.

The fishing was not prosecuted to any great extent in Shetland waters. During the month of March 1250 crans of herrings in lean condition were landed from the Flugga grounds which were purchased for curing purposes at an average price of 11s. per cran.

A fleet of 150 craft, 90 per cent. of which were from the East Coast, operated from Stornoway. Early in the season fishing operations were confined to local grounds, with the result that the work was not seriously interrupted by the prevailing stormy weather, and catches ranged up to 190 crans. In the month of February the mainland grounds were resorted to, but as the herrings there were found to be in spawning condition and had to compete in the southern markets with herrings imported from Norway, they did not command high prices and the fishing came to an early termination.

During the prosecution of the winter herring fishing in Fort-William district very unfavourable weather was experienced. The highest earnings of steam drifters were about £500, while the average worked out at £250. To fishermen the season was therefore unremunerative.

Early in January herring fishing opened well at Ayr and continued to be prosecuted there somewhat irregularly up to the end of February, after which operations were transferred to Girvan and Stranraer. Prices fluctuated from 28. to 37s. 6d. per basket, averaging 44s. 6d. per cran.

SUMMER HERRING FISHING.

From the fishermen's point of view the summer herring fishing was not at all a success, chiefly owing to the poor prices realised for their catches. At the close of the season many crews were not in a position to meet the working expenses incurred.

Landings in the English section of Eyemouth district amounted during the season to 42,111 crans, valued at £49,545, and at Eyemouth itself to 9278 crans, valued at £7136. Prices paid for fresh herrings ranged from 28. to 104s. per cran, while the average price was 22s. compared with 41s. 2d. in 1922. Throughout the season the fish were generally of a small size. At the close of the season there was a good demand for cured herrings, so that satisfactory prices were realised by

curers.

Aberdeen did not have a herring fleet operating from the port, but frequent landings were made by crews based on Peterhead and Fraserburgh. It was seldom, however, that the local kippering and tinning firms procured sufficient supplies from this source, and the majority had to draw supplies by road and rail from the two ports named. It would be an advantage to buyers if a moderate fleet of drifters were based on Aberdeen, but to some extent circumstances are against it, as there is not an outlet for the disposal of any surplus beyond the demand of tinning and kippering firms, as pickle curing is now entirely neglected at the port. Fishermen usually receive good prices for their catches when the supply does not exceed the demand, and the probability is that they may visit the port more frequently in

E

the future. With some encouragement from the port authorities it might be possible to resuscitate the herring industry on a moderate scale, and thus save the buyers a considerable outlay on transport from northern centres, and also give them their supplies in better condition.

At Peterhead fishing was commenced early in June with a fleet of 25 vessels, which by the month of July had increased to 200. Abundant supplies of fish were caught 35 to 55 miles N.E. to E.N.E., but on account of the heavy landings prices fell to from 8s. to 12s. per cran, and fishermen decided to suspend fishing from the 11th to 16th July. When operations were resumed herrings were not so plentiful, and only a partial fishing was thereafter secured. For the season the catch was 90,851 crans, valued at £81,681, compared with 53,682 crans and £73,925 in 1922, while the average price per cran was 18s. against 278. 7d. for the preceding year. Steam drifters had earnings of £300 to £1000 and motor boats £200 to £650. Prices of cured herrings at the commencement of the season were for Mat. Fulls 30s. per barrel and Matties 28s. Early in July they receded to 23s. to 24s. for Mat. Fulls and 21s. to 22s. for Matties. Fortunately towards the close of the season prices advanced owing to increased demand, and as curers had good stocks on hand they benefited considerably.

Although there was a very fair catch of herrings at Fraserburgh during the season, the fishermen did not benefit financially from it owing to the poor prices current. During the early period of the season fairly remunerative prices were paid, but with an abundant fishing prices declined, until on the 10th July they were only from 88. to 10s. per cran. Fishermen then decided to suspend operations for the week, and resolved not to accept less than 15s. per cran when they resumed work. The resolution regarding prices was not strictly adhered to, but an improvement in prices took place, as lighter catches were obtained when fishing was resumed. The total catch for the season was 160,248 crans, valued at £135,458, compared with 100,110 crans and £135,246 in the previous year, and the average price per cran was 16s. 11d. against 27s. 5d. in 1922 and 29s. 11d. in 1921. Steam drifters had gross earnings of £262 to £1250 with an average of £726, and motor boats of £161 to £685 with an average of £352.

In Banff district the fishing was prosecuted by 10 steamers and 30 motor boats, and for the season the average price was 19s. 3d. per cran, compared with 31s. 6d. in 1922.

In Buckie district a fleet of 210 steam vessels and 70 motors was fitted out, which prosecuted fishing at Shetland and other centres. During the early part of the season no regular fleet operated from Buckie itself, and the bulk of the herrings landed there was brought in by vessels returning from the larger centres for the week-end, but latterly some good takes were secured in the Moray Firth, chiefly from 20 to 24 miles N.E. by E. and 7 to 10 miles N. by E. to N.N.W. from Buckie. The total catch landed at Buckie was 12,167 crans against 3910 crans in 1922.

A commencement was made at Wick early in June. For the first two weeks a small fleet operated on the grounds west of the Orkneys, where a light irregular fishing was got. Trials were then made on the grounds 25 to 50 miles E. by N. to E. by S. from Wick, which continued to be the principal fishing area for the remainder of the season. At the end of June the vessels operating from the port numbered 112, increasing early in July to about 200. Splendid results were obtained in the first week of July, the catch for the week being 20,000 crans. On the Friday 200 boats arrived with an average of 60 crans, and prices fell until it was impossible to sell at 5s. per cran, and 50 vessels left the port to dispose

of their catches elsewhere. During the remainder of July the fishing continued heavy, the weekly totals ranging from 14,042 to 17,956 crans, but in August it declined. The season's catch was 98,830 crans, valued at £75,302, an increase on the previous year of 43,642 crans, but of only £1676. Fishermen were dissatisfied with the prices received for their fish, the average being 15s. 3d. per cran. The gross earnings of local vessels were for steamers £350 to £900 and motor boats £220 to £751, the averages being steam £600, motor £430 and sail £116.

In Orkney the summer herring fishing, prosecuted chiefly from Stronsay, is by far the most important branch of the fisheries, accounting for 95 per cent. of the quantity and 90 per cent. of the value of fish landed. Owing to the disappointing season of 1922 preparations at Stronsay were only sufficient for a moderate business. At the height of the season an average fleet of 60 vessels operated from the port, and eleven curing establishments were staffed. The best results were obtained during July, when operations were conducted 20 to 40 miles S.E. to S.E. by S. For the season the total catch was 41,798 crans as compared with 19,703 crans in 1922. Prices for fresh herring varied from 5s. to 33s., while the average price was 14s. 2d. against 23s. 6d. for the previous year.

Extensive preparations were made for dealing with the summer catch of herrings in the Shetland district. 53 stations were opened at Lerwick, 3 at Balta Sound and 2 at Hoswick. A few crews commenced to fish early in May, and by the end of the month a fleet of 385 vessels had congregated, which by the middle of June had increased to 523, as compared with 411 in 1922. English vessels were well represented, numbering 175 as against 100 during the previous season.

The most productive fishing grounds were from 30 to 65 miles S.E. and S.S.E. of Bard Head and 20 to 40 miles E. of Score Point. Frequently catches of 100 to 300 crans were secured, but owing to the rich nature of the fish over 6000 crans from the heaviest of the catches had to be returned to the sea. Throughout the season fresh herrings realised from 5s. to 40s. per cran, the average price being 18s. compared with 21s. 6d. during the preceding season. Steam drifters had gross earnings of from £400 to £1500, motor boats £250 to £800, and sailing boats £20 to £300. The great majority of the crews earned little more than cleared expenses.

At Stornoway the fishing was prosecuted by a mixed fleet of 80 vessels, one-third of which were of the 2nd class. The season was not a successful one as supplies were somewhat irregular, while in quality the fish were not up to the usual standard, so that for their disposal curers were confined to the Continental markets. The catch consisted chiefly of Mat. Fulls and Matties, and such Fulls and Matjes as were selected were inferior to any handled for many years.

Steamers had gross earnings of £450 to £1100, motors £25 to £465, and sail boats £210 to £700, and as operations were extended over a lengthy season fishermen's nett earnings were poor, especially in the case of crews employed in the smaller class of boats. The catch of herrings from April to December was 31,030 crans, valued at £29,595, against 43,852 crans and £55,560 in 1922.

The season in Barra district was very disappointing. Cold and stormy weather was experienced, herrings were scarce upon the grounds usually frequented, and the fish secured were not of a satisfactory quality. Of late years the Barra summer fishing has been adversely affected by the competition of Oban and Mallaig, at which ports crews can generally dispose of their catches to good advantage for freshing

purposes.

At all the important herring fishing stations the catches consisted chiefly of Mat. Full and Mattie fish, there being an absence of fish under the Mattie size such as were prevalent in 1922. It appeared as if the herrings were of the same shoals as were fished during the previous summer, but had increased in size by a year's growth. Herrings of the Full size were scarce and represented only a small percentage of the catch.

At one period of the summer fishing it looked as if pickle curers were to have an unfortunate season on account of the poor demand for their product. Towards the end of the fishing, however, the markets made a wonderful recovery, greatly assisting those who held a good portion of their season's cure, and in many cases converting what was expected to be an unprofitable season into a remunerative one, although unfortunately all were not in a position to benefit.

ENGLISH FISHING.

A fleet of nearly 700 Scottish vessels proceeded to East Anglia for the prosecution of the autumn herring fishing. The results obtained were much more satisfactory than was anticipated. During the early part of the season success attended the efforts of the fishermen, and very satisfactory prices were obtained for their catches. For some weeks in the latter part of the season operations were interrupted by stormy weather, but the earnings of fishermen were on the whole good and in fact the best for any fishing throughout the year. Steam vessels had earnings of £375 to £1700. Owing to rough weather and the weight of fish, however, fishermen suffered severe losses of netting, the replacing of which meant a reduction of their earnings. Fishcurers who held stocks until the season was near an end did well, as the price of cured herrings then advanced considerably.

Employment in connection with barrel making improved appreciably during the year owing to the increased catch of herrings during the summer months and the success attained at East Anglia. At the end of the year all the larger firms were employing their full staffs.

Towards the end of the year the position of the herring fishing industry had improved greatly. The success at East Anglia and the improved demand for cured herrings have revived the hopes of fishermen and others, who believe that the depression which has lasted so long is now about to pass.

WHITE FISH FISHING.

On an average 80 steam trawlers operated from Leith district, but the whole of their catches was not landed locally. For a period in the summer 33 vessels worked on the West Coast, landing their catches at Oban and Ayr. The results obtained did not come up to expectation as fish were not so abundant as in the previous year and unfavourable weather interfered with operations. With a view to avoiding the expense of the passage to Granton, a number of the trawlers working on northern North Sea grounds landed their takes at Aberdeen during the last quarter of the year. The landings in Leith district therefore show a decrease of 5570 cwts., but the value shows an increase of £47,533, indicating that more satisfactory results to owners were obtained than in the previous year. About a third of the trawlers' catches consisted of small haddocks. Very stormy weather was experienced during the first and last quarters of the year.

The year's operations of trawlers based on Dundee may be considered fairly satisfactory, although adversely affected at times by

stormy weather. The best weekly gross earnings ranged from £161 to £469, while for the year the earnings ranged from £4840 up to £8744. Compared with 1922, the total catch shows a decrease of 3556 cwts., but the value an increase of £386.

It cannot be said that the conditions under which trawling was conducted from Aberdeen during 1922 improved last year. One of the most serious problems was the continued scarcity of mature haddocks and flat fish in the North Sea and on other grounds. Fish of the size now brought to market were thrown overboard in the early years of the trawling industry. Compared with only twenty years ago there is a marked difference in the quantity and class of fish composing the landings.

Trawling gear has to some extent eased in price, but no reduction has taken place in the price of coals and other stores. Many trawling companies who in bygone years paid good dividends found that they had sustained a loss on the year's work. A number of vessels which make short trips, and of which the skippers are part owners, fared better, having a moderate margin of profit, although others failed to square accounts.

Since German trawlers resumed landing their Icelandic catches at Aberdeen, the feeling of the home fishermen has not been too favourable towards them, but when they arrived with North Sea fish their resentment found definite expression. An endeavour was made to arrange for a limitation of the landings of German caught fish, but unsuccessfully, and in an attempt to secure the exclusion of the Germans from the port the Aberdeen steam fishing fleet was laid up for three months.

During many months of the year a considerable trade is done in filleting Icelandic fish for the home markets. The business is expanding, possibly because of the scarcity of haddocks of a size suitable for the production of Finnans. Practically all the Norway haddocks landed from German trawlers are filleted and also the greater part of the codlings and extra large haddocks, while these vessels also deliver most of the cod, ling, etc. used for the cured dried trade. One local trawl owner purchased from French owners a large vessel capable of voyaging to Iceland all the year round.

SEINE NET FISHING.

The prosecution of the Danish seine net fishing by Scottish fishermen is practically confined to Moray Firth crews. Altogether about 160 vessels were equipped for that mode of fishing. Operations were commenced in the Firth about the end of January, but success was not general. Early in April some crews ceased operations in order to prepare to engage in the summer herring fishing, while others proceeded south to work on the Dogger and Fisher Banks. Crews who worked for eight to ten months in the Moray Firth had earnings ranging from £1200 to £2608, while those who pursued the fishing for about six months in the North Sea had an average of fully £2000, ranging up to over £4000. When it became evident that the East Anglia herring fishing would be successful most of the crews discontinued seine netting, and putting their herring nets on board proceeded to Yarmouth and Lowestoft.

On the various parts of the coast where flounder seine net fishing is engaged in very little success was attained as a scarcity of fish on the inshore grounds was generally experienced.

GREAT-LINE FISHING.

Owing to the depressed state of the herring industry East Coast