226 



Appendices to Thirty-second Annual Report 



there, two of the firms brought herrings in a roused condition from other 

 districts for curing. 



Six firms were employed freshing and curing cod and saithe at Badachro. 



Direct exportations consisted of one part cargo of 378 barrels of cured 

 herrings from Lochclash to Konigsberg. The rest of the district cure was 

 exported to the Continent and America via Leith, Stornoway, and Glasgow. 



No classes were held for the instruction of fishermen in navigation or 

 any other subject. 



The extension of the east end of the pier at Ullapool has now been com- 

 pleted, and good progress is being made with the work on the western 

 portion. 



There was fortunately no loss of life at sea in connection with the 

 fisheries of the district. 



The barometers at Ullapool and Badachro are in good order. 



James Mair, 



Fishery Officer. 



Fishery Office, 

 Ullapool, 8th January 1914. 



Loch Carron and Skye District. 



The aggregate returns of fish landed in Loch Carron and Skye district 

 for the year 1913 show a decrease of 19,974 cwts. in quantity, and of £4643 

 in value, from the figures for the previous year. Practically all kinds of 

 fish are involved in the decrease, but the chief shortage is in herrings. 

 The only species that show an increase are saithe and hake. In shell-fish, 

 lobsters and whelks show an improvement. 



In the means of capture returns there is a reduction of 47 boats. No 

 less than 65, chiefly of the third class, were cancelled during the year as 

 being unfit for further fishing. The number added to the registry to 

 take the place of those struck off was 18. In almost all the crofting 

 fishing villages a gradual dechne is going on, in so far as the fishing industry 

 is concerned. The places which retain the most apparent degree of pros- 

 perity are those where the fishermen have been able to instal motor engines 

 in their boats. It is interesting to note an increase in the number of motor 

 boats. One new first class skifi was built specially for the reception of 

 motor power, and 5 of the existing sail boats — chiefly of the second class- 

 had motors installed. The number of motor boats now belonging to the 

 district is 20, and a further increase is expected in the near future, fisher- 

 men being fully aUve to the advantages of motor-propelled boats. The 

 favourite type of engine is the " Kelvin " of 13 h.p., costing £130 with 

 reversing gear, and £110 with non-reversing gear. Although the fisher- 

 men of the creeks where motor power has been adopted have been successful 

 in their calHng, it has not stemmed the tide of emigration, as some villages 

 are entirely depleted of young unmarried men. Owing to this fact, there 

 is a decrease of 187 in the number of fishermen. Fishing gear also shows 

 a reduction. 



Line fishing shows no improvement, few crews now following this 

 branch of the fisheries except to supply fish for local requirements. A 

 number of Loch Carron sldfis — both motor and sail — made a successful 

 fishing with fixed ground nets during February and March. Their catches 

 consisted principally of saithe and hake. Hake appeared fairly plentiful 

 on the grounds between Applecross and the island of Raasay, and owing to 



