of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



217 



35,986 crans in quantity and £65,035 in value, as compared with the 

 totals of 1911. The figures for the past six years were: — 



100,018 crans. 

 86,549 „ 



1907 

 1908 

 1909 

 1910 

 1911 

 1912 



80,185 

 54,081 

 45,319 

 81,305 



The Minch yielded good results, and the vessels that continued fishing 

 in these waters during the summer and autumn months had excellent 

 earnings ; 3486 crans of herrings roused in barrels, imported by carrying 

 steamers from other districts, were cured for export. None of the 

 local boats went to the Shetland, East Coast, English, or Irish fishings 

 during the year. Hired men and women workers, who were employed 

 at other stations from Shetland to Suffolk, earned more, on an average, 

 than they ever did in any other season heretofore. 



Line fishing was prosecuted with fair success during the early part of 

 the year by steam vessels hailing from other ports, but the total catch 

 was less than in 1911 owing to local craft being less successful 

 throughout the district. 



The quantities landed from 1907 to 1912 were: — 



1907 

 1908 

 1909 

 1910 

 1911 

 1912 



76,382 

 77,960 

 109,121 

 119,582 

 97,690 

 83,129 



cwts. 



Trawlers frequented the port occasionally, but less trawled fish was 

 landed than in former seasons. A number of steam liners made 

 regular calls for herring bait when proceeding to the West of Ireland, 

 St. Kilda, and Rockall fishing grounds. 



The larger-sized boats are getting fewer, several having been struck 

 off the register during the year, and none of this class was replaced. A 

 steam trawler which belonged to this port for a time in 1911 was sold to 

 Aberdeen. Tonnage and value, therefore, as well as fishing gear, show 

 a decrease. Two steam drifters and a new boat of 40 feet keel, with 

 motor power, were acquired by Stornoway owners in December, 1912. 



Three second and two third class boats were built in the district. A 

 number of small boats were, however, acquired by local fishermen from 

 Orkney for fishing purposes. 



The winter herring fishing was commenced during the week ended 

 6th January by 9 steam and 4 sailing vessels, and terminated towards 

 the end of March. The highest number of boats employed at one time 

 was 32 steamers and 17 sailers. Although the fleet was less by a half as 

 compared with the previous season, the shortage in the catch was only 

 2059 crans. The quality was much better than in 1911. The best- 

 fished steam vessel grossed £540, while several had from £300 to £400, 

 the average being £350. Sailers averaged £137, and smaller sailing 

 craft £49. The average price per cran was 16s. 



The summer herring fishing yielded better results than for several 

 seasons past. The highest number of boats employed was 106 steam 

 and 110 sailers. The former had practically all left for other districts 

 by the end of the first week in June, the sailers following immediately 

 thereafter, but the fishing was continued, chiefly by local boats, with 

 fair success. In July a number of steam vessels returned from the 

 East Coast, and for two weeks in August 100 steam vessels were era- 



