2-10 Appendices to Thirty-third Annual Report 



For the first time in its history, so far as this district is concerned, 

 lobster fishing was carried on by motor boats. Unfortunately, owing to 

 the dislocation caused by the war, their advantage over sailing craft could 

 not be thoroughly tested, but there were sufficient signs to show their 

 superiority as a means of capture. 



Employment at boat-building was similar to that in 1913 and was 

 confined to a few months, builders being practically idle during the re- 

 mainder of the year. Two motor boats — one at Ardrishaig, and the other 

 at Tarbert — were launched early in summer, while another of a much 

 smaller size was completed at Luing towards the end of the year. The 

 outlook for 1915 is very discouraging. 



Fortunately no Hves were lost in connection with the district fisheries, 

 while the loss of and damage to fishing gear were of little moment when 

 the capital involved is taken into consideration. 



No classes for the technical instruction of fishermen or others connected 

 with the industry were held in this district during the year. 



Apart from the depressed state of the lobster markets, it cannot be 

 said that the war had any effect on the fishing industry in this district 

 during the year just closed as, the fishing grounds being remote from 

 mine fields and all areas where hostilities were hkely to be carried on, 

 operations were conducted under normal conditions. So far as one can 

 judge, future prospects will in no way be influenced by the war. 

 UnUke east coast stations, practically no curing is carried on in this district, 

 so that the closing of the continental markets will not be felt, while nearly 

 all white fish landed are sold for local use. xllthough 50 fishermen have 

 joined the army and navy, the fleet will not be appreciably reduced, 

 especially if the fishing proves productive. 



The barometer at Tarbert is in good order and a record from it was 

 taken daily. 



Robert Spink, 



Fishery Officer. 



Fishery Office, 

 Tarbert, 6th January 1915. 



Rothesay District. 



The aggregate results of the fisheries of Rothesay district during 

 the year under review were extremely disappointing, the catch (shell- 

 fish excluded) amounting to 10,851 cwts. valued at £5024, compared 

 with 18,571 cwts. and £8103 respectively in 1913. 



A slight improvement in line and cod-net fishing was more than 

 counterbalanced by decreased returns from herring fishing, the shrinkage 

 in this branch of the industry being 8438 cwts. in quantity and £3625 

 in value. 



The downward tendency in the Means of Capture was again evident, 

 and with a continuance of this retrograde movement, it is not unlikely 

 that before many years have elapsed, few fishermen will be left in the 

 district. 



One new motor boat fitted with a 15 h.p. Kelvin engine was added 

 to the fleet, but 2 were sold out of the district, and 1 ceased to be used 

 for fishing purposes. A number of sail boats was also struck off the 

 register, the net decrease at the close of the year being 11. 



In sympathy with the general dechne, there was also a further shrinkage 

 in the area of netting and the length of lines in use. 



A few crews fitted out for the winter herring fishing, but, although 



