184 



Appendices to Thirty-third Annual Report 



of 20,977 crans, the bulk of which was kippered and freshed, the balance 

 being cured for the home and American markets. 



In the quantity of white fish caught there was a marked decrease, 

 partly accounted for by so many men being withdrawn for naval and 

 military duty. As in the preceding year mackerel and saithe were plentiful. 

 The former realised 3s. 5d. and the latter 3s. per cwt. Cod averaged 

 7s. 4d. ; ling, 7s. 5d. ; haddock, 8s. ; eel, 9s. ; and skate, 3s. 7d. per cwt. 

 In the quantity and value of shell-fish there was a considerable decrease, 

 for which • the conditions which prevailed on account of the war were 

 responsible. In no other district in Scotland were so many men called 

 up on the outbreak of the war. This, however, had less affect on the 

 fisheries of the district than might be expected, as the majority of the men 

 called up are otherwise employed during the greater part of the year, and 

 the herring fishing is practically conducted by East Coast fishermen, 

 curers, and shore workers. Doubtless the resident curers and a number 

 of shore workers will be adversely affected, but with so many men in 

 regular pay it is permissible to infer that their relations would be as well 

 provided for as under ordinary conditions. 



Barra. 



The herring fishing in Barra district is of a fluctuating character, and 

 during the year 1914 the catch was the lightest for a number of years. 

 Contrasted with the preceding year there was a decrease in the quantity 

 and value of 19,000 crans, and £58,000 respectively. About the same 

 number of vessels were employed as in the preceding year, and the bulk 

 of the catch was accounted for during the months of May and June. 

 As usual the steam and large sail craft from the East Coast were the most 

 successful. The district fleet consisted of small sized sail boats, and a 

 few auxiliary motor boats of a similar size. The fishing being a partial 

 failure on the inshore grounds, the average earnings of the sail onlyamounted 

 to £50, against £100 for the motor craft. In 1913 the sail boats averaged 

 £100, and one motor craft engaged grossed £540. The white fish fisheries 

 of the district were less productive than usual, and did very little to 

 augment the year's earnings. In the value of shell fish, chiefly lobsters, 

 there was also a marked decrease. When war was declared a number 

 of young men joined the forces, others found employment about Glasgow 

 and in the merchant service. The girls employed in connection with 

 the various herring fishings returned with reduced earnings, and could find 

 little to do during the remainder of the year. 



The season's catch consisting of about 19,311 barrels — valued at 48s. 

 per barrel — was cured and consigned unsold, chiefly to Russia and 

 Germany. When war was declared there was still a small portion to sell 

 and on these curers would lose considerably. Contrasted with the 

 disastrous year 1870 the loss is insignificant. In that year the catch from 

 Barra district was the heaviest on record, and a very small portion of the 

 season's cure had reached Germany before war was declared, with the 

 result that curers generally lost their all. With a few exceptions fishermen 

 were paid in full. Curers who realised in time the disastrous state of 

 affairs emptied the balance of their stock into the sea, and by doing so 

 saved their barrels and expenses incidental to exportation. 



Loch Broom. 



At no period of the year did the crews engaged in herring fishing 

 in Loch Broom district meet with a fair measure of success. Light 

 takes were occasionally got during the summer and autumn months, 



