228 



Appendices to Thirty-first Annual Report 



Cod-net fishing was carried on chiefly from Minard, with improved 

 results, but, as in the case of line fishing, the quantity landed annually 

 by this method is small. 



The output of oysters from Loch Sween and West Loch Tarbert beds 

 showed a shrinkage of fully 50 per cent. At one time the latter beds 

 were well stocked, but the output has been annually diminishing, and 

 less attention is being given to oyster culture. 



Lobster fishing was carried on to a greater or less extent during the 

 whole year. The results were much better than those of 1911, the 

 improvement being most marked in the case of the island of Luing. 

 In addition to local crews, boats from other districts land their takes 

 at the various creeks during the summer months. 



At Tarbert, boat-building was at a standstill, only small repairs to 

 fishing craft being carried out. Better conditions prevailed at 

 Ardrishaig, however, where three motor boats, larger than any pre- 

 viously built in the district, were launched. The prospects for 1913 

 are meantime not encouraging. 



During a gale in the middle of November a Tarbert motor boat broke 

 from her moorings, and, after drifting down Loch Fyne, grounded on 

 Inchmarnock and became a total wreck. 



Apart from the above, the damage to fishing craft and gear was of 

 little importance. No lives were lost in connection with the fisheries. 



The barometer at Tarbert continues to be appreciated by the fisher- 

 men, and a record of the weather is kept daily. 



The returns of the fisheries for this district for 1912 show a consider- 

 able decrease when compared with last year's figures. The total 

 landings of all kinds of fish (excluding shell-fish) totalled 22,361 cwts., 

 valued at .£9576, compared with 33,944 cwts., valued at £10,853, in 

 1911. Shell-fish realised £621, against £767 last year. 



In the means of capture" there are 6 boats less than were recorded 

 last year. This decrease is compensated for by the fact that the boats 

 added to the register during the year were larger and better craft in 

 every way than the old and useless boats written off. At Pirnmill, in 

 Arran, two new boats of the first class, having 15.20 h.p. Kelvin motor 

 engines installed, were built to the order of local fishermen. Two skiffs 

 belonging to Lochranza and one to Dunoon had 7.9 h.p. Kelvin motor 

 engines installed by their owners. There are now 16 motor fishing 

 vessels owned by fishermen belonging to the district. 



The herring fishing was not attended with the same success as in the 

 previous year. The total landings of herrings show the large decrease 

 of 11,050 cwts. in quantity and £1068 in value. 



The summer herring fishing commenced in June, and continued 

 intermittently until the end of December. During June, July, and 

 August a fleet ranging from 20 to 175 boats (mostly motor boats) 

 worked in the district. The greater part of the fleet fished off the 

 east and south coasts of Arran, with varying success. A number of 

 carrying steamers were daily in attendance, and 3260 crans were 

 purchased and conveyed, for the most part, to Glasgow Fishmarket, 

 where excellent prices were obtained. 



A small number of motor and sail boats, working seine nets, operated 



Fishery Office, 

 Tarbert, January 1913. 



Robert Spink, 



Fishery Officer. 



Rothesay District. 



