of the Fishery Board for Scotland, 



219 



The summer herring fishing, which commenced on the 11th May, was 

 a comparatively short one, lasting only six weeks. The fleet engaged 

 consisted chiefly of sail boats. Weather conditions were, on the whole, 

 favourable, and the fleet were able to prosecute the fishing with 

 regularity. At the beginning of the season the fishing grounds fre- 

 quented were Skerry vore. Coll Bank, and Canna. Light catches were 

 the general rule, only an occasional shot of any consequence being 

 landed. During the first half of June shoals of herring appeared on the 

 inshore grounds between Eriskay and Muldoanich, and within the short 

 period during which the fish remained on the coast many splendid shots 

 of fish of good quality were secured. By the end of June the weather 

 became unsettled, and as fish were getting scarce on the coast, the 

 larger number of stranger crews, considering the early fishing over, left 

 for their respective home ports. 



The autumn herring fishing was a failure, yielding only 3858 crans. 

 compared with 12,350 crans in 1911 and 16,975 crans in 1910. A 

 series of gales and contrary winds made fishing very irregular. Results 

 were accordingly discouraging, and as favourable fishing reports were 

 received from the East Coast herring fishing centres, most of the 

 stranger boats left early for home. The majority of the fish-curers also 

 closed their curing stations earlier than usual. The remainder of the 

 fleet, which consisted of sail drifters, were for the greater part of the 

 season lying in port. On the few occasions when weather permitted 

 fishing was engaged in, but without success. 



The earnings of fishermen engaged in herring fishing were consider- 

 ably higher than in the preceding year. The average gross earnings for 

 the first-class local sail boats were £280, compared with £131 in 1911. 

 The highest individual gross earnings amounted to £525, and the lowest 

 to £215. Only one motor boat belongs to the district, and this vessel 

 had gross earnings amounting approximately to £500. The few East 

 Coast sail boats that remained in Barra until September grossed on an 

 average £405, against £192 in 1911. The maximum earnings by these 

 stranger boats were £716, and the minimum £310. 



The shell fisheries of this district are of considerable value and a 

 source of regular employment for 17 per cent, of the fishermen. 

 Although the fishing was much hindered, by unsettled weather, the 

 aggregate results compare favourably with those of the previous year. 

 The most remunerative period is during May, June, and July, and the 

 best fishing grounds are on the coast of North Uist, Benbecula, and the 

 vicinity of Barra. The gathering of unclassified shell-fish was prose- 

 cuted with average results. Cockles constitute approximately 70 per 

 cent, of this class of fish. During the early part of the year a 

 considerable quantity of cockles was destroyed owing to delay, caused 

 by stormy weather, in bringing the fish within reach of the consumer. 



The aggregate gross earnings of the fishermen belonging to the district 

 for the year under review were considerably higher than in the previous 

 year. Although the total quantity of fish landed was much less, a 

 larger proportion than usual of the catch was secured by local boats. 

 This, in conjunction with the high prices which prevailed, returned 

 them total gross earnings from the various branches of the fisheries of 

 £30,400. Of this amount, the herring fishing is credited with 67 per 

 cent., white fishing 13 per cent., and the shell fisheries 20 per cent. 

 The figures for the preceding year were, aggregate gross earnings, 

 £23,800, the corresponding percentages being 71:7: and 22 respectively. 



Fishery Office, 

 Gastlebay, Uh January 1913, 



A. B. Stephen, 



Fishery Office)', 



