§ 53. Mr. Wolrige-Gordonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the present position at the summer herring fisheries; and how many drift net boats are engaged in catching herring.
§ Mr. NobleThe Scottish summer herring fisheries have got off to a slower start this year. One hundred boats including 14 from English ports are now engaged in the drift net fishery on the Buchan and Shetland grounds. A further six Scottish boats are at present drift net fishing off the north-east of England. The total is somewhat less than at the same time last year and the catch since 1st April has been somewhat lower; but the average catch and earnings per boat have been higher.