of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



237 



No doubt the departure of over a hundred fishermen from Campbeltown 

 and Carradale duriiig the period subsequent to the outbreak of war, to 

 serve as naval reservists, had an adverse effect on the catch for the closing 

 months of the year, as a fairly large number of boats had, in consequence, 

 to be laid up for want of crews. Herrings were evidently so scarce, how- 

 ever, that it is improbable that the catch would have been materially 

 increased by the continued working of these boats. 



With the exception of a very small quantity the herrings caught in 

 the Firth of Clyde waters of the district vs^ere secured by seine nets. 

 Towards the end of the year a few Islay fishermen obtained small catches 

 by drift nets in Lochindaal. 



The quality of the herrings landed during the respective seasons of the 

 year was quite up to the average standard of previous years, but, un- 

 fortunately, the bulk of the year's catch was got during the months in 

 which the quality is always of an inferior nature. Notwithstanding this, 

 however, prices ruled exceptionally high throughout the whole year — 

 especially when supplies were light— and the average value per cran is 

 probably a record one for this district, amountino; to 30s. 6d., as compared 

 with 29s 9d. in 1913. 



Owing to prices being so high only a very small proportion of the 

 catch was cured for exportation, the nmnber of barrels filled being a little 

 over 300, all of which were shipped coastwise to Glasgow. 



Great-line fishing was prosecuted more extensively from Campbeltown 

 during the spring months of the year than it has been for several years, 

 as, apart from the fact that a larger fleet than usual of local boats was en- 

 gaged, four motor boats belonging to Montrose district arrived early in the 

 spring at Campbeltown, where they remained for several weeks carrying on 

 great-hne operations. A good deal of success was met with, particularly 

 by the stranger boats, and very satisfactory earnings were made. 



From about the middle of June to the end of July three crews of 

 fishermen belonging to Portnahaven were engaged in fishing for saithe at 

 the Mull of Kintyre. Their efforts were attended with moderate success, 

 and after curing and drying their catches they sailed direct to Ballycastle, 

 at which port all their fish were disposed of at 12s. per c wt., the gross earn- 

 ings per boat ranging from £48 to £67. At Gigha the cod fishing continues 

 to decline steadily, and consequently a decrease in the quantity of cod 

 cured has to be recorded yearly. Only 27 cwts. were dried during the past 

 year ; a decrease of 52 cwts. from the previous year's quantity. Small - 

 line fishing was occasionally carried on at Campbeltown and Bowmore, 

 but the results were not encouraging. 



The boat-building trade in the district was slack, only one large herring 

 skiff having been built early in the year. 



Unfortunately a local fisherman was drowned at Ayr while engaged at 

 the herring fishing. There was no serious damage done to boats or fishing 

 gear during the year. 



Apart from the laying up of about 15 boats, owing to a large number 

 of the fishermen having left to serve in the navy, and a decrease in employ- 

 ment for net-makers, the fishing industry of this district has not been 

 affected to any serious extent by the war. With regard to the prospects for 

 the future, there does not, at present, appear to be any cause for anxiety, 

 as, subject to certain special orders concerning the prosecution of the 

 fishing, operations may be carried on by all the local fishermen throughout 

 the district. 



John Sim, 



Fishery Officer. 



Fishery Office, 

 Campbeltown, 1th January 1915. 



