218 



Appendices to Thirty-first Annual Report 



ployed, as well as several motor boats, which had also come from other 

 district-s. A number continued fishing up to the 14th September, 

 when they again took their departure. 



Again in December a number of steam vessels arrived at this station 

 and landed good takes of herrings from the fishing grounds off Tolsta 

 and Broadbay. The best single catch was 200 crans by a B.F. drifter. 

 Towards the end of December takes of from 100 to 140 crans, obtained 

 in Loch Bracadale, in Skye district, were common. On the 26th 

 December 21 steam drifters landed an average of 81 crans of herrings 

 of good quality, which realised 27s. per cran for curing purposes. The 

 average price per cran from May to December inclusive was 29s. 5d. 



Mackerel were fairly abundant in the Minch during the winter and 

 summer months, herring boats sometimes having more mackerel than 

 herrings in their nets. 1500 barrels were cured for export to America, 

 a considerable increase on any other year since mackerel were first cured 

 at this station. 



Cod and ling fishing by local boats at the different creeks throughout 

 the district is still on the decline. Port of Ness, which at one time 

 flourished as an important station, accounted for only a small quantity 

 cured by a few of the fishermen there. Seventeen line boats were 

 unlaunched during the year. 



Shell-fish returns exhibit a slight increase as compared with 1911. 

 Lobster fishing was prosecuted at South Harris with a fair measure of 

 success. The Sound of Harris produces better lobsters for size and 

 quality than any other creek or station in the district. 



The aggregate results of the fisheries for the year just closed show a 

 marked decrease. This falling-off is the more disquieting when it is 

 remembered that the preceding year's results were the poorest recorded 

 for the past decade. The total quantity and value of fish landed (ex- 

 clusive of shell-fish) amounted to 80,999 cwts. and £37,831. Compared 

 with the preceding year, this result shov/s a decrease of 43,962 cwts. and 

 £3867. This diminution is chiefly accounted for by the failure of the 

 autumn herring fishing. Line fishing shows a considerable increase. 

 The shell-fisheries realised £6142, an increase of 7 per cent, on the 

 previous year's figures. 



Owing to the present depression in the district fisheries there has been 

 practically no change or modern developments in the means of capture. 

 The number of fishing boats shows a slight decrease. The extent and 

 value of fishing gear remain much the same as in the previous year. 

 With the exception of one auxiliary motor boat, the entire fleet still 

 consists of sailing craft. 



White-fish fishing commenced early in March and extended well into 

 June. During the greater part of this period favourable weather was 

 experienced, and line fishermen were actively engaged. Cod and ling 

 appeared to be in abundance on the coast, and consequently a satis- 

 factory fishing was experienced. The general fishing grounds were 

 from three to seven miles E. to S.E. from the island of Muldoanich and 

 the vicinity of Pabby Bank. During the latter part of the season 

 several boats fished with considerable success in the vicinity of White 

 Strip shoal south-west from Barra Head. Only native fishermen 

 participate in the great-line fishing. The average gross earnings were 

 £113 per boat, against £56 per boat for the corresponding season in the 

 preceding year. 



Fishery Office, 

 Stoenoway, ^th January 1913. 



Alex. Sutherland, 



Fishery Officer. 



Barra District. 



