of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



235 



Herrings were found rather scarce on these grounds during the summer 

 months, and there is Kttle of interest to record in connection with this 

 period of the fishing. The fleet engaged was usually small. Herring 

 fishing was carried on intermittently, and with varying success until 

 near the close of the year. It was not until about the end of November 

 that the fishermen who persevered in the West Coast fishing were 

 rewarded for their patience and labour. About that date a dense shoal 

 of herrings was located in Loch Bracadale. Soon a fair fleet of East 

 Coast boats was at work, with their headquarters at Mallaig, but owing 

 to the closing of the West Coast fishing by the Naval Authorities to other 

 than local boats, their success was short-lived. East Coast crews were 

 forced to cease work, and operations came to an abrupt ending about 

 the last week of December, the situation remaining unchanged at the end 

 of the year. 



A number of stranger crews arrived on the West Coast, only to find 

 that owing to Admiralty restrictions they could not prosecute their 

 calHng. Before fishing operations were stopped, there was an abund- 

 ance of herrings in the loch, and the prices paid were extremely high, 

 ranging from 40s. to as high as 80s. per cran. The few crews that first 

 located the herrings reaped a fine harvest in a short time. Special 

 mention may be made of one boat, which grossed £1100 for 12 weeks' 

 work ; another boat earned £750 for 3 weeks or 5 shots ; while a third 

 grossed £400 for one day's work. The method of fishing in most of the 

 lochs is for the crews to anchor their nets, and run to port with their 

 catches, while their nets are left in the water. 



The herrings were of fair quality, but owing to the high prices ruling, 

 curers were often unable to purchase for pickling purposes, and the bulk 

 of the catch was sent to the English markets in a fresh or sprinkled state. 



The shell-fish section of the industry was actively engaged in. Lobster 

 fishing, the principal branch, resulted in an increase in number of 

 5363 lobsters, but a decrease in value of £5. The quantity and value of 

 whelks also show a slight increase. 



There are no classes for the technical instruction of fishermen or other 

 persons connected with the fishing industry conducted in this district. 



The war has had little effect on the fishing industry in Fort- William 

 district. The quantity of fish cured for export to the Continent is small, 

 the bulk of the catch being sent to the English markets in a fresh or 

 kippered state. Prices of herrings and other fish remained normal until 

 about the end of November, when owing to scarcity of fish, chiefly caused 

 by restricted fishing, the price of all kinds ruled high, which was certainly 

 an advantage to the fishermen. 



Prospects for the future are favourable. It is expected that restricted 

 areas may be reopened on the West Coast, and no doubt fishermen will 

 receive remunerative prices for all kinds of fish, while fish buyers will 

 also receive good returns owing to the short supplies at other ports. 

 The price of lobsters does not compare favourably with the previous year, 

 chiefly owing to the fact that the German markets, where a considerable 

 number of the lobsters are sent, were closed. 



It is regrettable that one of the district motor boats, with a crew of 

 three men, was lost off the Point of Sleat in a gale. 



The fishery barometer at Mallaig is in good order. 



James Young, 



Fishery Officer. 



Fishery Office, 

 Oban, \Hh January 1915. 



