22(3 



Appendices to IVdrty-first Anmtal Report 



purposes, and very high prices were therefore realised. For the yeai* 

 the average price per craii stands at 24s. Id., an increase of 7s. on the 

 average vahie per cran of last year's catch. 



Curing for exportation was carried on from the beginning of July to 

 the end of the year whenever supplies could be procured. The quantity 

 dealt with in this way amounted to over 3000 barrels, all of which were 

 shipped coastwise to Glasgow for exportation, principally to America 

 and the Continent. 



Most of the herrings, however, which were caught in the district were 

 purchased at sea and taken direct to Glasgow market in a fresh state by 

 the freshing steamers engaged in that trade. 



Line fishing was not prosecuted very extensively throughout the 

 district during the year, and the total quantity of fish taken by this 

 means shows a decrease of 22 per cent, when compared with the cor- 

 responding figures for 1911. At Gigha and Portnahaven cod fishing 

 by great lines was, as usual, carried on for a few months early in the 

 year. The success met with at both places was only moderate, no large 

 body of fish having been located on the fishing grounds at any time. 

 Several crews belonging to Portnahaven were engaged at saithe fishing 

 at the Mull of Kintyre for a few weeks in summer, but fish were scarce, 

 and poor results were therefore obtained. Small line fishing was 

 prosecuted to some extent at Campbeltown and Bowmore, but at 

 Campbeltown this branch of the industry received less attention than 

 usual, owing to the success which attended the herring fishing, and, as 

 fish were never very plentiful, there is a falling-off of almost 43 per 

 cent, in the total catch. At Bowmore, however, there has to be 

 recorded an increase of 51 per cent, in the quantity and 57 per cent, in 

 the value, the greater increase in the value being accounted for by 

 heavier landings of plaice. 



The boat-building trade of the district was slack, only 

 one large herring skiff having been built during the year, the owners 

 of which belong to Campbeltown. 



Fortunately no lives were lost in connection with the prosecution of 

 the fishing throughout the district, and the damage done to fishing gear 

 was less than usual. 



The various barometers in the district are all in good condition, and 

 are being well attended to by the custodians. 



Fishery Office, John Sim, 



Campbeltown, 7th January 1913. Fishery Officer. 



Inveraray District, 



Loch Fyne, so far as its fisheries are concerned, has for the past few 

 years been passing through a time of serious depression, and during 

 the year just closed matters appear to have reached their worst. The 

 failure of the herring fishing was entirely responsible for this, as the 

 other branches of the fisheries are of minor importance. 



Fishermen are generally optimistic, and each succeeding year they 

 have hoped for better results, only to be disappointed. 



The total quantity of fish landed (exclusive of shell-fish) was 

 11,888 cwts., valued at £3325, compared with 18,894 cwts. of the value 

 of £4303 in 1911, which was also an unproductive year. 



The downward tendency which, within recent years, has shown itself 

 in the means of capture was again evident. The number 

 of boats on the register was 14 less than in the preceding 

 year, while the number of fishermen belonging to the district also 



