56 



Part III.—Tweniy-fifth Annual Report 



In November and December most of the herrings landed were taken in 

 Loch Ryan by trammel-nets. 



In January, 1888, a large body of herrings came close inshore between 

 Girvan and Turnberry, but they did not stay long. In February most 

 were taken by seine on Ballantrae Banks, and they were very largely 

 small and immature. But in the week ended 3rd March, 6786 crans of 

 large and excellent herrings were caught on the banks, of which 6024 

 crans were got by seines and 762 by set-nets. After this little was done, 

 a gale closing the fishing on 8th March. The aggregate was 9585 crans, 

 as follows : — 



December. 

 70 



January. 

 450 



February. 

 2,127 



March. 

 6,938 



There was comparatively little fishing on the coast in summer, but many 

 herrings were taken in Luce Bay. The winter fishing began on 10th 

 December between Duuure Head and Ayr Bay, where it continued 

 throughout the month, principally with drift-nets. 



In January, 1889, the fishing-place was chiefly between Girvan and 

 Turnberry Point, up to near the middle of the month, and then from 

 three to six miles south of Girvan and close to the shore. The first part 

 of February was stormy, and little was caught ; towards the end of the 

 month the herrings were taken on Ballantrae Banks both with seines 

 and trammels, and they were of a good ssize. In March the fishing fell 

 off, and gradually came to a close on 15th March. The quantity for the 

 season was 11,528 crans, apportioned as follows : — 



December. 

 913 



January. 

 875 



February. 

 8,981 



March. 

 759 



At the end of November the winter fishing commenced off Culzean 

 Castle, north of Turnberry Point ; in December it continued in the same 

 neighbourhood between Maidens and Dunure. In January, 1890, it was 

 in the same region, north of Turnberry, till the close of the month, when 

 the herrings were taken chiefly between Girvan and Turnberry Point. 

 In the first week of February the principal ground was Ballantrae 

 Banks, where it continued ; on the 22nd, large numbers of haddocks 

 were caught on the bank by the seine-nets, and were found to be gorged 

 with herring spawn. The fishing closed very early, on 4th March, the 

 shoals having come earlier and left sooner. The aggregate catch was 

 9264 crans, the weekly particulars being as follows : — 



