230 



Appendices to Thirty-first Annual Report 



During July and August a shoal of herrings of good quality appeared 

 off Irvine and Troon, and the fleet operating in those waters obtained 

 satisfactory results, the prices ruling at that time being from 30s. to 

 over 50s. per cran. This fishing continued to be irregularly prosecuted, 

 with indifferent results, on to November, only a small number of boats 

 being latterly engaged. 



In the last two months of the year shoals of small herrings were 

 found olf Largs, Fairlie, and Saltcoats. The total landings at these 

 three places during the period mentioned amounted to 530 crans, valued 

 at £316. 



For the twelve months of 1912 the total catch of herrings exceeded 

 that of 1911 by 1658 crans in quantity and £3978 in value. 



Thirteen steamers were engaged in the Clyde in the buying and 

 carrying of herrings from the fleets to Glasgow and other convenient 

 centres. 



Cured herrings were in good demand, and those of the better quality 

 especially were readily bought up at high prices for the American 

 market. A considerable number of barrels were also disposed of in 

 Glasgow and neighbourhood. 



The herrings converted into kippers were, for the most part, either 

 sent to England or sold in the district. 



Line fishing is not prosecuted to any appreciable extent in the district. 

 A few small boats made occasional trips to sea throughout the year 

 from the various creeks, the chief of which were Largs and Millport, 

 The landings were mostly composed of codlings, whitings, flounders, and 

 plaice. 



There were 22 arrivals of steam trawlers and liners at Glasgow, as 

 against 40 arrivals in the preceding year, hence the decrease in the 

 quantity and value of fish landed by steam fishing vessels. 



The output of mussels showed an increase of over 4000 cwts., which 

 was due to the increased attention given to dredging on the beds off 

 Port-Glasgow. The returns of lobsters and unclassified shell-fish were 

 under those of 1911. 



As will be observed from the returns, a considerable business was 

 done in the exportation of cured herrings and other fish. 



In addition to Scottish cured herings, quantities were sent to this 

 district from Ireland for shipment to America. The cases of preserved 

 fish came chiefly from Aberdeen for export to America and Australia, 

 and dried fish were sent to Ireland, Spain, and America. 



At Glasgow Fishmarket there was, as usual, a large business done 

 in nearly all kinds of fish. 



In addition to fresh herrings (the supplies of which fluctuated), there 

 were regular supplies of fresh, smoked, and cured fish passing daily 

 through the market. These came from places on the East and West 

 Coasts of Scotland, England, and Ireland, but the chief sources of 

 supply were Granton, Aberdeen, and the Moray Firth ports. 



While the various shipbuilding yards were fully employed in other 

 directions, the building of fishing vessels was rather slack, only two 

 steam trawlers and one sailing boat — the latter fitted with a motor 

 engine — being built in this district during the year. 



More barrels were made than in the preceding year, but the local 

 supply fell far short of requirements, and curers were obliged to 

 purchase from makers residing in other districts. 



Fishery Office, ' 



Glasgow, lOth Januury 1913. 



Wm. Nisbet, 



Fishery Oficer. 



