Fisheries, p.xxviii.

[Gazetteer of Scotland Contents]

The fisheries of Scotland have long formed a valuable and important branch of industry. – The total annual value of the salmon-fisheries has been estimated at £150,000. The Ayr, Beauly, Clyde, Conon, Dee, Deveron, Don, Earn, Eden, North and South Esks, Findhorn, Langwell, Moy, Ness, Shin, Spey, Tay, Teith, Tweed, and Ythan rivers, are all celebrated for their salmon-fishings. – The total quantity of herrings cured in Scotland within the year ending 5^th April, 1840, was 543,945 barrels; the total quantity found entitled to the official brand, under the act 1^st Will. IV, c. 54, was 152,231 barrels; and the total quantity exported was 252,522 barrels; being a decrease of 11,614¾ barrels in the quantity cured, of 1,428½ in the quantity branded, but an increase of 12,791½ in the quantity exported, as compared with the preceding year. Of cod and ling, 93,560¾ cwts. were cured dried, and 6,053 barrels cured in pickle; the quantity found entitled to the official stamp and brand, under the provisions of the said act, was 21,695½ cwts. dried, and 3,205 barrels pickled, and the total quantity exported was 29,656¼ cwts. dried, and 24 barrels pickled; being an increase over the preceding year of 8,281 cwts. in the quantity cured dried, but a decrease of 3,998½ barrels pickled, a decrease in the quantity punched and branded of 2,240¾ cwts. and 1,888 barrels, but an increase of 2,954½ cwts. in the quantity exported. In catching and curing these fish, 11,893 boats, manned by 52,037 fishermen and boys, were employed in the shore-curing department of the fishery; the number of curers, coopers, gutters, and labourers employed, was 36,681; and the total number of persons employed was 88,718; being an increase over the preceding year of 536 boats, 1,799 fishermen, and of 3,143 in the total number of persons employed. 

The following is an account of the total number of barrels of white herrings which have been cured on board vessels cleared out for the fishery, or cured on shore, in the year ended 5th April, 1840; and also of the number of boats and hands which have been employed in the shore-curing, herring, cod, and ling fisheries.