244 



Appendices to Thirty-third Annual Report 



Alterations are meantime being made on the market which, when 

 compk^ted, will give more accommodation for the conduct of business. 



Four motor fishing boats were built in the yards in this district for 

 owners residing in the districts of Ballantrae and Lochcarron and Skye. 



Barrel making was carried on in the Glasgow cooperages, but the 

 number constructed was less than in 1913. 



Fortunately no lives were lost in connection with the fisheries of the 

 district, and the amount of damage to fishing gear was merely nominal. 



There were no technical classes for the instruction of fishermen con- 

 ducted in this district during the year. 



Unlike many other parts of the coast, it could scarcely be said thkt 

 the present war was the cause of interrupting fishing operations in this 

 district. Fishermen continued to prosecute their calling during the latter 

 part of the year on practically the same lines as before war was declared 



Owing to the stoppage of the herring fishing on the East Coast, which 

 resulted in many of the fishermen resorting to line fishing, a greater demand 

 for mussels for bait was created, hence the increase in the output from 

 the beds situated in the Clyde. 



The restrictions placed on the export of herrings to the Continental 

 markets had the effect of diverting certain quantities of those originally 

 intended for the Continent to America, which partly accounts for the in- 

 crease in the shipment via Glasgow. 



Unless it is found expedient to adopt more stringent measures than 

 hitherto, it would not appear that the future prospect of the fisheries of 

 this district will be materially affected by the conditions brought about 

 by the war. 



Wm. Nisbet, 



Fishery Officer. 



Fishery Office, 

 Glasgow, 12^^ January 1915. 



Ballantrae District. 



A retrospect of the past year in so far as the fisheries of this district 

 are concerned reveals the fact that it was very unproductive in quantity, 

 with relatively high values ruling. The quantity landed shows a falling 

 off to the extent of nearly 30,000 cwts. and the value of £12,000, when 

 compared with the moderate results of the previous year — figures which 

 indicate a very serious reduction in the earnings of district fishermen. 

 This regrettable result is almost entirely due to the faihire of the local 

 herring fishing during the summer and winter months. 



Although the total number of boats returned shows an increase of 

 only one, the value shows an increase of £5412, this change being brought 

 about by the acquisition of larger boats fitted with motors in place of 

 obsol&te sailing craft. During the year under review no less than 14 

 motor boats were added to the register, 11 of these were new craft, ranging 

 up to £310 in value, while 3 existing boats had motors installed. The 

 engines installed were of the Kelvin, Gleniffer, and Barcar type. Thirty- 

 one new registrations were effected during the year, and numerous 

 changes of ownership recorded. On the Ayrshire coast the landings by 

 sail boats are now insignificant. 



As heretofore the winter herring fishing was prosecuted from Ayr 

 and Stranraer with the usual vigour by crews gathered from most of 

 the Clyde area. Unfortunately results were not at all commensurate 

 w^ith tiie fleet engaged. At the former port stormy weather was largely 



