of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



229 



weather in contracted waters such as these, necessarily exacted a heavy toll 

 on gear, and in several cases vessels suffered damage. Towards the end of 

 January some good shots were secured off Dun vegan Head, and later on, 

 operations were conducted on Coll Bank. The quality was generally good 

 until spent fish made their appearance. Landings at Mallaig were aug- 

 mented by several heavy shots from Stornoway waters. In spite of the 

 abnormal landings prices maintained a high level throughout — the fishing 

 thus proving very remunerative to fishermen. 



Results at Oban were of a more moderate order. A few steamers 

 operating on Coll Bank and off Dhuheartach landed light and irregular 

 supplies during January and February, which were eagerly bought at good 

 prices. The only vessel operating from this port during the entire season 

 grossed about £620 for 19 landings. 



Early in May the fleet was again on the West Coast, working from 

 Mallaig and Oban. On this voyage only very moderate results were 

 obtained. The best landings were recorded during the second week of the 

 season, the fishing ground being off Coll. Quality during May was poor 

 but improved rapidly, and with light supplies prices advanced until a very 

 high level was reached. For the week ending 14th June the average price 

 was 63s. 6d. per cran. On 3rd June some fine shots ranging from £112 to 

 £260 in value were landed at both ports. Throughout the summer months 

 a few steamers made irregular landings at both ports, for which high prices 

 were paid. During the autumn a few motor and sail boats exploited 

 various lochs from Mallaig with indifferent success. The experience of 

 last year, together with somewhat favourable evidence that herrings were 

 again in Loch Bracadale, hastened the return of steamers from the English 

 fishing, but unfortunately, and contrary to expectations, the loch fishing 

 during December was very unproductive. For weeks a good fleet worked 

 in and about Loch Bracadale, but excepting a few stray shots, anticipations 

 were disappointed. The average price for the year works out at 26s. 4d. 

 per cran, against 25s. 3d. for 1912. 



Ejppering was engaged in by 4 firms during the early summer fishing, 

 2 at Mallaig and 2 at Oban. The quantity disposed of in this way was 

 fully double that so treated in 1912. 



Curing for Continental markets was carried on at both ports during May 

 and June and at Mallaig right on into late autumn. For June cure high 

 prices were realised, comparing favourably with those obtained by other 

 West Coast ports. There were no direct shipments, all being sent by rail 

 to Leith for the Continent and via Glasgow for America. A few small 

 Consignments were sent to Liverpool and London, while a considerable 

 quantity was sold for local consumption. The number of barrels cured 

 shows an increase of over 4000. 



Great-line fishing was somewhat restricted at Mallaig owing to the 

 success of the herring fishing, many crews who otherwise would have 

 engaged in line fishing electing to participate in the herring fishing as being 

 more remunerative. Consequently the boats engaged working lines were 

 less in number than usual, and there was a corresponding decrease in 

 the landings. Sometimes the congestion at Mallaig was so great that the 

 line boats could only effect a landing during the evening when the herring 

 boats were at sea. 



The weather conditions also were exceptionally severe during the first 

 two months, but, despite these adverse circumstances, some fair results 

 were obtained. The usual grounds were exploited, and fish were found in 

 fair quantity. Bait supplies were plentiful and reasonable. Li several 

 instances where bait nets were shot, herrings were so plentiful that the 

 crew ran to port without working lines and discharged up to 50 crans. 

 The average earnings would compare favourably with those of the previous 



