Fishery Board for Scotland. 



xlix 



the drift-nefc boats landed heavier takes than they had done in 

 recent seasons. Crews of two boats, using seine-nets and fishing- 

 together, landed takes of from 50 to 103 crans, which realised sums 

 ranging from £80 to £130. One double crew earned £800 for Earnings of 

 the season ; but these results are small, when compared with those Crews - 

 of some preceding years. The quality of the herrings was inferior Quality and 

 during the first part of the fishing, but it afterwards improved and brings 

 became equal to the average of ordinary years. Prices ranged 

 from 8s. to 60s. a cran, the average being 30s. In 1885, the average 

 price was 25s. a cran; in 1884 it was 38s.; and in 1883, 45s. The Hemngscured 

 total quantity of herrings cured, or sent to market lightly salted for 

 immediate use, was 18,405 barrels, being a decrease, as compared 

 with 1885, of 7974 barrels. From 10 to 14 swift steamers, speci- Carrying 

 ally built for the herring trade, were employed in carrying the p^y™ 18 em " 

 takes to Greenock and Glasgow, for distribution over the country. 



Eothesay District. 



From Ardlamont Point, inclusive, to Roseneath Point, exclusive; including Boundary of 

 the lochs within this range of coast ; also Bute and Arran. District. 



District Fishery Office — Rothesay. 



The herring fishing in Rothesay district was begun in Jul y Duration of 

 and ended in October. The number of boats engaged varied |k^s? nd 

 from time to time. During one week of the season as many as 284 p i oy ed. 

 were employed, and this was the maximum number which took part 

 in the fishing. There was no shoal of herrings on the coast, and the Season unpro- 

 fishing during the whole season was unproductive. The aggregate TotoTcatch 

 catch amounted to only 6909 crans, as compared with 9974 crans 

 in 3 885, which was likewise an unsuccessful year. The grounds 

 which yielded the best takes were Loch Long, Loch Striven, 

 Machrie Bay, and along the Arran coast. Both drift and seine or Seine-nets 

 circle-nets were used. The latter captured more fish than the ^a^drTfTnc^ 1 

 former. The most successful double crew of eight men, however, 

 with two boats, and using seine-nets, only realised about £170 for 

 the season, as compared with £520 in 1885. On account of the 

 limited catch, prices were well maintained, and might average Prices well 

 about 27s. a cran, although the quality of the fish was usually ^thoifii^ 

 inferior. The fishing was prosecuted with the usual amount of quality of 

 vigour and perseverance ; but it was understood that most of the Herrings 

 boats did not clear their expenses. 



Greenock District. 



From Glasgow, westwards, on the north side of the River Clyde, to Roseneath Boundary of 

 Point, both inclusive, including Gareloch ; on the south and east side of District, 

 the River and Firth of Clyde to Ayr, exclusive, including the Cumbraes. 



District Fishery Office — Greenock. 



In Greenock district the herring fishing of 1886, which was Fishing a 

 carried on from June to December, was a failure. At one time 56 HeSng^being 

 boats were employed, but very few herrings were found upon the on™ Coast 1& 

 coast; and the weather being often unsuitable, the industry was only ^sJTaWe 161 

 prosecuted in a casual manner. The gross catch did not exceed 907 

 9 



