The Irish standard., 1916-04-08
Big Herring Harvest in Donegal Waters
Record Prices Reached

The fishing community of Donegal
has had remarkably successful sea-
son. Up to August things were little
better than average years so far as
supplies went, but, of course, more
advantageous in the better figures re-
allied. Then towards the end of the
month shoals of behring's appeared un-
expectedly in the fishing grounds, and
the whole fishing population was i'm
mediately astir. The Congested Dis
tricts Board was appraised of the pros
poets. and arrangements were forth
coming for making available the motor
boats and sailing boats provided by
the Board along this section of the
coast. In due course contingent Of
Scotch and Irish buyers appeared on
the scene, and, with keen competi-
tion, the Donegal folk have been able
to reap splendid herring harvest
There were times during the season
when the price of behring's went up
to as much as from G3 to "a and "a
los. Gran, and even higher. Reduced
to more easily understood basis, the
higher quotations mentioned worked
out at as much as I'd. and 21&d. apiece
for the fine qualities which are attract
ed to these Northwestern grounds, and
the fishermen, as might be expected,
rejoiced in their luck. The Boards
steam-drifters were requisitioned by
the Admiralty.
The New Motor Boats.
One of the developments which has
accrued to the fishing interests in
the district is concerned with the mat
ter of the provision of the motor-boats
and steam-drifters by the Congested
Districts Board. Up to 1894 only open
boats of the Greencastle yawl type
had been in use by the Donegal fisher
men. In that year a number of large
decked sailing boats. known as the
Zulu" type, were introduced by the
Board for herring fishing at Downing's
were worked by crews on the share
system, boat and gear being handed
over to crew Of six as joint owners.
subject to repayment to the Board
of about one-third of the net earnings.
The system worked satisfactorily for
many years, and the Board were re-
paid the entire cost of the boats and
gear originally supplied. There were
still several others of these craft, how
ever, in respect of which considerable
sums had yet to be discharged before
the debt to the Board would be clear
ed off. In 1907 a big change had to
be met. Steam-drifters, which had
been introduced into Scotland and
England, took part in the Donegal
fishery, with the result that the crews
of the local sailing boats were dis
couraged by their inability to COM
pete with the steam vessels which
were able to land large catches both
in stormy weather and in Gains when
sailing boats had to remain in har-
Dor. Even when sailing boats were
able to go out, the steamers could go
farther out to sea where the best fish
ing grounds are and get back sooner
to harbor, thus securing better prices.
The Donegal fishermen, therefore,
urged the Board to provide them with
steam-drifters and motor-boats, SO
that they might share upon equal
terms in the fishery off their OWL
coast. With the aid of loan from
the Development Commission the
Board acquired some steam-drifters
and motor boats.
Changed System.
New conditions suggested to tn,
Board that it might be we'll to vary
the terms for repayment for thes,
boats and gear. Under the share sys
tenn the length of time before repay
ment in full could be made and caused
the crews, after a number of successive
poor seasons, to lose sight of the pros
pect of becoming owners, and mel
changed from one boat to another. Ii
many instances, too, the crews did no
maintain their boats and gear in goo,
order, and it was quite evident that
in the interest of the fishermen as vel
as of the Board, nothing short of own
ership would stimulate the crews t.
take care of their boats and gear. l
was, therefore, decided that the Boar,
would sell each boat and gear on tn
loan system to some one or more fish
ermen. The present value of the boat
and gear was ascertained, and thes
amounts were treated as having beef
lent to approved applicants, the ad
vances to be repaid by half-yearly In
stalments. The initial cost of the boat
with gear ranged from $1,000 t
$4,000 each for motor.boats, and pres
ent values were fixed according to tn
condition Of the craft, with discoun
of 20 per cent for cash paid at tn