of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



233 



Inveraray District. 



The aggregate returns of fish landed in this district during the year under 

 reriew (excUisiveof shell fish) amounted to 41,486 cwts., valued at X10,767. 

 This exceeds the average for the past five years by 23,318 cwts. and .£4506 

 respectively. 



The catches, which are to a great extent infiuenced by the results of 

 herring fishing, had during that period, however, proved the lowest for 

 half a century, and. compared with the average returns for the years 1900 to 

 1904 inclusive, the figures for 1910 reveal a shortage of 37,936 cwts. in 

 quantity and ^19,808 in value. 



The most noteworthy feature in connection with the means of capture 

 was an increase in the number of boats using mechanical power as a means 

 of propulsion, and were the fishermen in a better financial position, this 

 method would be generally adopted. During the year, seven boats were 

 fitted out with Kelvin parafin motors of 7-9 horse-power at a cost of about 

 ^64 each. 



The unsuccessful results of the past few years again accounted for a 

 decrease in the number of boats on the register, and from the same cause 

 there is also a falling off in the number of fishermen belonging to the 

 district. The area of netting also shows a shrinkage, but there is little 

 change in the length of lines in use. 



Operations at herring fishing commenced about the beginning of May. 

 Throughout the season the number of district boats engaged was 124, while 

 crews from adjacent districts and seven drift-net crews from the East Coast 

 also frequented Lochfyne for a time. 



During the opening month the weather was unsettled and the catches 

 were light and irregular. With more favourable weather conditions 

 prevailing in June, an improvement set in, and as there appeared to be 

 extensive shoals of herrings in all parts of the loch, a successful season was 

 anticipated. For eight weeks expectations were to a certain extent realised, 

 as fair average takes were being landed. For the months of June and July 

 the catch amounted to 8472 crans, valued at ^7903. By the end of the 

 latter month, however, it was apparent that the shoal had moved south, as 

 the subsequent landings were of little moment. The total catch from the 

 beginning of May until the close of the year was 10,405 crans, valued at 

 ^9159, and although those figures exhibited a marked improvement on the 

 poor returns for the previous year, the results were again disappointing. 



The quality throughout the season was generally poor, and the prices paid 

 varied from 4s. to 50s. per cran, the latter being exceptional. The average 

 price was 17s. 7d., compared with 22s. Id. in 1909. 



The motor boats, considering the small catch, were fairly successful, and 

 their average earnings would be at least 100 per cent, better than those of 

 the sailing boats. 



Curing operations were carried on at Tarbert and Ardrishaig on much the 

 same scale as last year. An East Coast curer accounted for fully one-half of 

 the quantity gutted. These he shipped to America via Greenock district, 

 but as the herrings were soft and oily, this venture did not prove a financial 

 success. Resident curers disposed of their herrings in the surrounding 

 district at remunerative prices. 



A dense shoal of mackerel appeared in Lochfyne during the month of 

 July, and good catches were secured by crews following the herring fishing. 

 The total quantity landed exceeded that of the preceding year by 1366 

 cwts., while the value was greater by £298. The quality was generally 

 good, but the demand was never at any time keen. Prices varied from 2s. 

 to 10s. per cwt., the average price being 5s., compared with 5s. 6d. in 1909. 



The whole catch, which was taken by ordinary seine and drift nets, was 

 despatched to the markets in a fresh state. 



