of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



^35 



and lierriiigs were shortly after that period located in large shoals in the 

 vicinity of the islands of Pladda and the Holy Isle, where during the 

 previous three seasons a good fishing had been obtained. Operations were 

 regularly and successfully carried on in the waters off the east of Arran by 

 a tleet of 230 boats until the middle of October, when stormy weather, 

 combined with the " spotty " nature of the shoals, brought the fishing to a 

 close. A number of crews had remunerative earnings at this fishing, 

 especially those crews who had motor boats and were engaged at seine-net 

 fishing. The drift-net crews had generally a poor season, and there is little 

 doubt that this method of fishing for herrings is gradually being abandoned 

 by Firth of Clyde fishermen. Of the season's catch, 13,272 crans, valued at 

 o£ 15,489, were caught by seiners, while only 939 crans, valued .£1158, were 

 caught by drifters. The total quantity of herrings credited to the district 

 for the year 1910 was 14,211 crans, valued at £16,647, as against 9988 

 crans and £12,064 for the preceding year. The quantity and value ot 

 herrings purchased at sea by carrying steamers and conveyed to market by 

 them in a fresh condition were 12,457 crans and =£14,760, representing 

 87*79 and 88-66 per cent, respectively of the total catch and value of 

 herrings credited to the district. The quality of the herrings was on the 

 whole good, and as a keen demand prevailed for the fish, high prices were 

 realised by fishermen. The season's average price per cran was 23s. 5d., as 

 compared with 24s. 2d. per cran in 1909. The average earnings of the 

 district seine-net crews were £300, while the most successful pair of skiffs 

 (eight men) earned £520. The few drift-net crews who were engaged at 

 this fishing would not average more than about £85 a crew. No catches of 

 any consequence were obtained in any other part of the district waters. 

 Mackerel, although small in size, were more abundant in 1910 than they 

 usually are, but neither the fishermen nor buyers appeared to be keen either 

 on catching or buying these fish. Nearly all the mackerel are caught by 

 herring nets in conjunction with the prosecution of the herring fishing. 

 The total quantity and value of mackerel landed in this district last year 

 were 1293 cwts. and £437, as against 1076 cwts. and £328 in 1909. 



The white-fish fishing of the district, which now chiefly embraces cod, 

 seithe, and conger, was pursued in a somewhat desultory fashion, with 

 average results. Practically the whole of the white fish disposed of by 

 fishmongers in this district comes from the ports of Aberdeen and Montrose. 

 The adjacent waters were once noted for their fine whitings, but owing to 

 soiQe unaccountable cause there has been an almost complete absence of 

 these fish in the upper reaches of the Clyde in recent years. 



The boatbuilding trade was in an exceptionally dull state throughout the 

 year, and the prospects of a revival in this trade are meanwhile not bright. 



Fortunately, there were no casualties to record, and the damage done to 

 boats and gear was of a very trifling nature. 



The barometers are in good order, and they are much consulted and 

 appreciated by fishermen. 



There is no improvement to report in the fisheries of this district during 

 the year under review, but rather a falling off'. Largs, Saltcoats, Irvine, 

 and Millport were the principal stations where line fishing was prosecuted 

 ■with anything like regularity, and the catches, which were generally light, 

 consisted of haddocks, whitings, saithe, plaice, and flounders, mostly of 

 medium size. At Saltcoats some fair catches of skate and eels were also 



Fishery Office, 

 Rothesay, bth January 1911. 



Frederick Fraser, 



Fishery Officer. 



Greenock District. 



