of the Fishery Board for Scotland, 



239 



100 crans, and during those two weeks almost one-half of the total landings 

 were accounted for. 



With the exception of a few crans caught near Laggan, all the herrings 

 were secured on the grounds in the vicinity of Skipness. So that for the 

 first time for a considerable number of years no herrings were located 

 north of Tarbert. 



In all, 919 crans valued at £1937 were landed, included in which were 

 26 crans valued at £32 taken from the waters on the western seaboard of 

 the district. The quality was very good and high prices were realised, 

 the average price being 42s. 2d. per cran. 



As a result of the shortage in the catch, curing operations, which for 

 years have been conducted on a very limited scale, were entirely suspended, 

 no herrings being either kippered or cured gutted. 



The quantity of mackerel landed was the largest for many years and 

 for the first time exceeded that of herrings. The fishing was carried on 

 simultaneously with herring fishing, and the method of capture was by 

 ordinary seine and drift nets. 



Mackerel first made their appearance in local waters during the month 

 of June, and the shoals appeared to increase in density until August when 

 all parts of the loch, and especially the lower reaches, were teeming with 

 fish. . 



During the latter period large catches were secured, and considerable 

 difficulty was often experienced in finding a sale for the abnormally large 

 supply. For this reason the fishing was prosecuted much less vigorously 

 than it might have been, otherwise the landings would have been con- 

 siderably augmented. At no time is there any great demand for this 

 class of fish in the district, and, owing to the low prices paid, and the 

 fact that the capture of mackerel by ordinary herring nets causes con- 

 siderable damage to gear, the monetary returns are usually unprofitable. 



The quaUty throughout the season was poor, and prices varied from 

 Is. to 8s., with an average price of 3s. 5d. per cwt. The whole catch was 

 dispatched to the market in a fresh state. 



Line fishing was carried on during the first four months of the year, 

 but operations were considerably interrupted by stormy weather, and the 

 landings suffered in consequence. 



The catch consisted almost exclusively of codlings, which were sold 

 for local consumption at prices varying from 15s. to 20s. per cwt. 



The same factor had an adverse effect on cod-net fishing, which is pro- 

 secuted during the same period. Only a few crews engage in this branch, 

 however, and the catch did not exceed 200 cwts. 



The combined results by lines and cod-nets, neither of which are of 

 much importance, show a decrease of 24 per cent, in quantity and 19 per 

 cent, in value when compared with the figures for 1913. 



Oyster culture is now receiving little attention in this district, and 

 the annual output is diminishing. 



The total number taken from the West Loch, Tarbert, and Loch Sween 

 beds during the year was 8000, of which the former contributed 80 per 

 cent. 



Lobster fishing was carried on regularly, with improved results, until 

 war broke out. Immediately war was declared, however, the demand 

 for lobsters fell off, with the result that subsequent operations were 

 irregularly conducted by a few crews only. 



Towards the end of August, the markets were in such a depressed 

 condition that, in some cases, lobsters reahsed an average of only 3d. 

 per fish after expenses had been met. 



The total catch was practically the same as in the preceding year, but 

 the value was less by 16 per cent. 



