224 



Appendices to Thirtn-first Annual Report 



April. In the month of October a few boats made several more or less 

 successful attempts at loch fishing, and in a few cases some good results 

 were obtained. Before the end of October bad weather intervened, and 

 throughout the rest of the year a succession of gales was experienced. 

 After the return of steamers from the English coast a large body of 

 herrings was located in Loch Bracadale, which speedily attracted a 

 large fleet. In spite of exceptionally severe weather, some remarkable 

 landings were made at Mallaig from this loch, and with unprecedentedly 

 high prices ruling for winter herrings, some abnormal earnings were 

 made by lucky crews in a short time. Some crews earned up to £700 for 

 a fortnight's work, and with only a few shots at that. Shots realising 

 over ,£100 were very numerous. Quality generally was good, and prices 

 ruled high, ranging up to 72s. per cran. For comparison, dividing the 

 year into first quarter, second quarter, and the last six months, it may 

 be stated that the average prices realised were 19s. 4d., 26s. lOd., and 

 28s. 2d. per cran, and for the corresponding periods of 1911 were 

 15s. lOd., 20s. 7d., and 19s. lOd. 



During the early summer fishing, kippering was carried on at 

 Mallaig by three firms, but the quantity so treated was only about half 

 as much as in the previous year. 



Eleven different firms engaged in curing for the Continental markets. 

 Four of these operated at Oban during May and June, but the light 

 landings prevented any great success being attained, something less than 

 800 barrels being filled. At Mallaig, however, this branch was carried 

 on by a few firms until the late autumn. Returns for the limited 

 quantity were very satisfactory, some high prices being obtained, best 

 June parcels realising up to 75 marks. 



Great-line fishing was successfully prosecuted from Mallaig and Oban 

 during the first quarter of the year. At the former port a fleet of 

 nearly forty steamers and three motor boats was engaged, the ordinary 

 sail boats being conspicuous by their absence. The usual fishing 

 grounds were exploited with much the same success as in previous years, 

 but with a better demand prices were higher, and earnings during the 

 first two months correspondingly greater. Stormy weather greatly 

 interrupted fishing in February, while the abnormal rise in the price of 

 bunker coal at Mallaig in March, consequent on the coal strike (from 

 24s. 6d. to 35s. per ton), had a very adverse effect, and was largely 

 responsible for the cessation of fishing operations by many boats earlier 

 than would have been the case under ordinary circumstances. 



Only a few boats worked from Oban, and they were fairly successful. 

 Their landings were augmented by some stray shots from the Mallaig 

 fleet, especially when the effects of the coal strike made themselves felt. 

 At Oban bunker supplies were generally maintained by the Railway 

 Company at the normal figure of 18s. 6d. per ton. Earnings for 

 steamers ranged from <£300 to nearly £700, with an average of over 

 £500, while motor boats earned from £170 to £440. 



Only very moderate success attended the efforts of the small line 

 boats. During the fall of the year their operations were almost entirely 

 suspended through bad weather. There are now 10 motor boats largely 

 engaged in this branch. 



The landings of trawl fish at Oban show a considerable decrease. 

 Only three vessels were employed, and fish were found very scarce. 



The value of the shell fisheries shows a slight improvement. 



The kippering houses at Oban mentioned in last year's report are 

 now completed, but owing to some legal difficulties were not occupied 

 for the May fishing. These have been again let, and are expected to be 

 in operation whenever regular supplies of herrings at Oban are reason- 

 ably assured. 



