'234 



Appendices to Tiventy-ninth Annual Report 



Line tishing — never of much importance in this district — received but 

 little attention, and the catch, which consisted chiefly of codlings, was under 

 that of the previous year. 



Six crews engaged in cod-net fishing during the spring months, but the 

 results, as in the case of line fishing, also exhibited a falling off. 



Towards the end of October a number of crews left for Lochbroom to 

 engage in herring fishing. Little success was met with, and after a short 

 stay they proceeded to Loch Snizort, where operations were carried on with 

 satisfactory results until the close of the year. The average earnings for 

 between 40 and 50 crews of four men each w^ould be .£140. 



The output of oysters was greater than that of any year since 1902. The 

 West Loch Tarbert beds were entirely responsible for the increase, as the 

 number taken from Loch Sween was slightly under that of the previous 

 year. The catch and value of lobsters show little change. By the end of 

 October the pond at CuUipool, Luing, had been stocked with 30,000 

 lobsters, and these wall be despatched to the various markets throughout 

 the winter months. The lobsters were received from Stornoway, Barra, 

 Loch Carron and Skye, and Oban districts, as w^ell as from local fishermen. 



The boatbuilding trade was almost at a standstill. Only two boats -were 

 built during the year, one for use within the limits of the district and the 

 other, a motor boat, for an Irish owner. There is little prospect of any 

 improvement in the near future as, so far, only one order has been placed in 

 the district. 



The loss of and damage to fishing gear, although greater than in 1909, 

 was of little consequence, considering the capital involved. Fortunately, 

 there was no loss of life in connection with the district fisheries, nor were 

 any boats lost or damaged. 



The barometer at Tarbert is in good order and is regularly attended to. 



The total quantity and value of white fish credited to the Rothesay 

 district for the vear I&IO were 57,012 cwts. and X20,354. These figures 

 show an increase of 15,188 cwts. and ^4581 over those of the preceding 

 year, which was also a successful one. The success which attended herring 

 flashing operations during the summer and autumn off the east coast of 

 Arran is chiefly responsible for these additions to the returns. The value 

 of the shell fisheries shows very little variation from that of the previous 

 year. 



The means of capture returns again show decreases in every respect, 

 owdng to the declining interest which is yearly being evinced in the 

 industry by the district fishermen, and it is quite apparent that this 

 unfortunate retrogressive mcvement has not yet reached its lowest point. 

 Four district boats were installed with motor power during the past year, 

 thus making a total of six auxiliary fishing craft in this district. An 

 engineering firm, named the Berguis Launch and Engine Company, of 

 Glasgow^, has made Hunter's Quay, in the Holy Loch, their headquarters for 

 the purpose of fitting out boats with motor engines of the Kelvin type, an 

 engine which appears to be very successful and universally popular among 

 Clyde fishermen. During the year under review this firm installed three 

 fishing boats with those Kelvin engines, whose average power was 8 h.p. 

 and speed about 6 knots. The cost of each engine was £70. 



The herring fishing, upon whose success the prosperity of the industry 

 now so much depends, was begun at the usual time, about the first of June, 



Fishery Office, 

 Tarbert, Lochfyne, Wi January 1911. 



Robert Spink, 



Fishery Oficer. 



Rothesay District. 



