Appendices to Thirty-eighth Annual Report 



stations. For tlie week ended 9th August, 1520 crans were landed, which 

 is the highest for one week since 1914. The herrings were of the very- 

 best quality, and prices averaged about 60s. per cran. This fishing 

 continued for another fortnight, and finished with a total of 4991 crans, 

 of the value of £9579, against 1671 crans and £3329 in 1918. The earnings 

 of the motor boats for the season ranged from £130 to £500, and of sail 

 boats from £150 to £250. 



Twenty-five boats went to the Skye Lochs in October, but met with 

 indifferent success. One motor t)oat grossed £600, but the earnings of 

 the others were much lower, ranging from £32 to £125, against which 

 has to be set a serious loss of gear. In one case a whole fleet of nets was 

 lost, while in others from 10 to 30 nets were lost or damaged. 



The cod and ling fishing returns show increases of 427 cwts. and £336 

 over the previous year. This is accounted for by the boats landing their 

 catches here in the spring and early summ?r, when prices for fresh fish 

 were very low at Mallaig. 



Small-line fishing is prosecuted from all the creeks in the district, and 

 except for a few cwts. of plaice consigned to the markets or sold locally, 

 the catch is kept for home use. 



The lobster catch of the Long Island was equal to that of the previous 

 year, but there was a decrease in value. In the Creek of Barra the landings 

 increased fourfold, but the value was only doubled. The returns for the 

 whole district show an increase of 6750 lobsters, but a decrease of £198 in 

 value. This fishing was prosecuted in the summer round the islands 

 about Barra Head, and lobsters were never so numerous or so large within 

 the memory of the men engaged. Owing to the misuitable steamer 

 service and warm weather, a large proportion of each consignment was dead 

 by the time it reached the market, and the fishermen did not reap the 

 benefit they would have done had a more convenient service been 

 available. 



Notwithstanding the very heavy working expenses, fishcurers had an 

 exceptionally profitable year. The total quantity cured was 8573 barrels 

 compared with 2306 in 1918. Very little success was attained during the 

 winter and spring seasons, but the summer season recouped all losses. 

 The whole oi the catch was sent to Glasgow for America. Prices for 

 cured herrings ranged from 70s. to 90s. per two half barrels of La. Matjes, 

 and from 60s. to 70s. per barrel of Medium Matjes, giving on the average 

 76s. per barrel for the season's cure. 



The Grovernment guarantee for pickled herrings had no direct effect 

 in this district. The class of herrings taken in this district — " Castlebay 

 Matjes " — is eagerly awaited by the American buyers, who pay high prices 

 for them. Curers were paying from 55s. to 75s. per cran for these herrings 

 during July and August, except for a few days when owing to the heavy 

 landings prices fell to 30s. per cran. 



The number of women belonging to the district who were employed 

 in gutting and packing was unusually large. Fifty crews were working 

 during the summer in Castlebay, while thirty-two crews were on the 

 East Coast, their average net earnings being £15 each. Fifty- five went 

 to the English stations where they earned from £60 to £75 per crew for a 

 seven weeks' fishing. 



One third-class sail boat was built at Lochmaddy to local order. 



No barrels were manufactured in the district. 



Fortunately there were no lives lost in connection with the fisheries 

 during the year. 



Arthur M. M'Kenzie, 

 Fishery Office, Fishery Officer, 



Castlebay, 22nd January 1920. 



