Fifth Annual Report of the 



Herrings 

 cured, kip- 

 pered, sold 

 fresh, and 

 tinned. 



Grounds fished 

 in Stornoway 

 Section. 



Cured Herrings 

 exported direct 

 to Continent. 



High prices 

 realised there. 



"\7eather and 

 loss of Life 



at Sea. 



fair success for two months longer. The total quantity of herrings 

 cured at the thirteen stations in the district was 91,431! barrels 

 against 114,781f in 1885, of which 64,311 \ barrels were cured 

 in Stornoway section, and 27,121 in Barra section, showing a fall- 

 ing off in the two sections of 7107J and 15,243 barrels respectively. 

 19,1261 crans were kippered, 7251 were sold fresh or lightly salted, 

 and 30 crans were tinned ; while in 1885, 28,274 crans were 

 kippered or lightly salted. The fishing grounds embraced all parts 

 of the North Minch ; but the favourite and most productive 

 grounds, and where the greatest portion of the season's catch was 

 ©btained, lay off the Butt of Lewis, near the Island of North Rona; 

 find midway between the Butt and Cape Wrath. In Stornoway 

 section 12,149 crans were landed in the week ending 12th June, 

 being the largest fishing of any week in the season, of which 6020 

 crans were delivered at Stornoway on one day. In Barra section, 

 the best fishing was got during the week ending 5th June, when 

 8561 crans were taken. 38,385 J barrels were exported direct to 

 the Continent, of which 27,006 went to St Petersburgh. In 1885 

 the quantity exported direct to the Continent exceeded the above 

 number by 20,128 barrels. The herrings were generally superior 

 to the takes of the two preceding seasons. Those landed in Barra 

 section were of prime quality, and obtained high prices abroad. 

 Stornoway kippered herrings continue to be much prized in the 

 home markets, and this department of the trade is of great 

 and increasing importance. The sailing of the boats to and from 

 the fishing ground was often delayed from want of wind ; but 

 on the whole, the weather throughout the season was favourable 

 for the prosecution of the industry. During the year, 10 fisher- 

 men were unhappily drowned while pursuing their calling. 



Loch Broom District. 



Boundary of Fiom Cape Wiatli to Diebeg, both exclusive; including the lochs and islands 

 District. within this range of coast. 



District Fishery Office — Ullapool. 



Poor Fishing. In Loch Broom district, the herring fishing of 1886 was the 

 Total Catch, poorest recorded for many years. The total catch only amounted 

 to 1618 barrels, as compared with 8948 in 1885. The quality of 

 the herrings was inferior, and prices ranged from lis. to 20s. per 

 Fishing con- cran. The fishing in Loch Glendhu, which was so prosperous three 

 fined to Lochs, years ago, was a complete failure. The industry in this district 

 is entirely confined to the lochs, but comparatively few herrings 

 came there during the year. Two steamers and seven curing 

 vessels were fitted out in the district for the herring fishery. 

 Their catches yielded only 622 barrels. Most of the local fisher- 

 men take part in the herring fishing upon the East Coast, so that 

 the yield of Loch Broom district, even when the fish are plentiful, 

 is comparatively small. 



Curing 

 Vessels, 



