THE MACKEREL FISHERY IN THE WEST OF ENGLAND. 73 



board a large mesh net), and as usual went to the ground off Scilly. 

 During first part of the month very unsettled weather set in and 

 very little could be done. The month, however, closed with a very 

 good fishuig and some very fine hauls were taken and the quantity 

 excellent. 



During May the greater part of the Lowestoft boats continued to 

 find fish in considerable quantities forty miles south of Mount^s Bay, 

 and the quality also was very fair though not equal to those 

 from the Scilly ground. 



The fishing during .June off Scilly was fairly well maintained, and 

 mackerel kept in capital condition, maintaining a flavour some- 

 what superior to ordinary June fish. 



The season held on till the very end of the above month, and even 

 several boats continued fishing the whole of July, getting catches of 

 1000 to 200 per boat. 



Owing to prevalence of light winds Scilly fishing was closed in 

 June, and the fishing during July was prosecuted off Mount's Bay 

 twelve to twenty miles. 



September. — Bay-boats met with fish again off the Bay in fair 

 quantities, the quality being most excellent. 



December. — The fleet fitted out again for the mackerel fishing off 

 Plymouth, and the first that were taken was on the night of Friday, 

 December 7th, nine miles south-west Start, by the "Mizpah,'" of 

 Porthleven, 1000 fish being her catch. 



Tuesday, 11th December, five boats landed from same ground 

 3000, 2900, 2600, 500, and 300 respectively, quality most excellent. 



13th inst., catches from 2700 down to 100 per boat were landed. 



During the week the very bright moonlight has somewhat been 

 against good fishing. 



The year's fishing has been above the average during the last 

 nine years financially for the fishermen, as prices have been rather 

 higher on the whole.* Quantity a little below. Quality very 

 satisfactory. 



* The high prices of mackerel, and consequent high returns to the West of England 

 fishermen, are due to the failure of the Kinsale mackerel fishery, which has been unprece- 

 deutedlj bad during the past year. 



