Haaf Stations
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1st May to 30th September, (the main Haaf Fishing season), at eight shillings and sixpence per week, payable at the end of the season.(see pic on left)
Maybe not a massive wage, but no doubt, for a young man in his first season of work it was a very important agreement to sign.
Young school leavers were the backbone of the fish stations. Too young and too inexperienced to go to sea, the 'beach boys' as they were called were responsible for keeping the drying beaches clear of seaweed and driftwood, and making sure that while the fish were laid out to dry, nothing happened to spoil the fish, and gulls, otters, and other scavengers were kept at bay.
As well as the pay the fish station owner provided accommodation, and fish to eat. It can only be assumed that fish was just about the only thing eaten because the settling sheet shows very little deducted from expenditure on the shop account.(see pic top right)
The beaches were a hive of activity. Fish were split by the men working on the splitting boards, before being salted in large vats. Meanwhile the livers were boiled in vats to produce oil. After several days in the salt vats the fish were arranged on the drying stones of the beach, all the time being watched by the beach boys who had to gather the fish into the booths if rain threatened.
Very few beaches in Shetland weren't involved in the Haaf Fishing. Some beaches were curing stations, whilst others were just home to the many boats which made the long trips to the far haaf.
Perhaps it is worth noting now to save questions, that the Haaf Stations involved in the Haaf Fishing were in no way connected to the Herring Stations of Lerwick and Baltasound.
