of the Fishery Board for Scotland^ 



52 



The average price per cran was considerably less than in 1918, being 83s. 4d. 

 as compared with Ills. 6c]. The boats' earnings ranged up to £3500, with 

 an average of about £2000. Local motor boats in the district lochs 

 grossed from £150 to £750, the average being £300. The quality of the 

 herrings at this season was on the whole good. 



The local boats resumed herring fishing again in July, and the grounds 

 tried were Loch Snizort and near Applecross. Except for a few good 

 catches obtained during September, operations were not very successful. 

 With the return of the stranger vessels in December, a good fishing was 

 landed at Kyle from Lochs Glendhu and Snizort. The quality was only 

 fair, and prices ranged from 15s. to 98s. per cran. 



The quantity of herrings cured shows a slight decrease, the total being 

 only 1915 barrels, the bulk of which was sold locally. Kippering was 

 carried on at Kyle by two firms, and although the number of crans kip- 

 pered was 192 less than in the previous year, both firms had a profitable 

 year's work. The buyers who despatched herrings in a fresh state from 

 Kyle also had a very good year. 



The ground -net fishing is the mainstay of the local craft at Applecross, 

 Kyleakin, and Loch Carron. The season lasts from January to March, 

 and operations are again resumed in November. Saithe was the principal 

 kind obtained, but fair shots of hake and lythe were also landed. The 

 results of this fishing were similar to the previous year's, the average 

 earnings for the 30 motor boats employed being £360. 



Practically nothing was done at mackerel fishing during the year, the 

 small quantity landed being taken chiefly by boats prosecuting the herring 

 fishing. 



The lobster fishing was carried on very successfully by boats belonging 

 to the west side of Skye. The number of lobsters landed and the value 

 show large increases. The fishermen themselves send most of their 

 lobsters to market. 



Line fishing is not prosecuted to any great extent by local fishermen, 

 but several small motor boats fishing in the vicinity of Kyle did fairly 

 well during the winter months. There was an increase in the quantity of 

 line fish landed by motor boats, but a decrease in landings by sail boats. 



Boat building was at a standstill during the year, but carpenters were 

 fairly busy repairing boats which were laid up during the war. 



No lives were lost in connection with the fisheries of the district, but 

 the damage to boats and gear was greater than in 1918. A motor boat 

 and a local fish carrying steamer were wrecked in Loch Snizort in 

 November. 



During the last few years Kyle has become one of the principal centres 

 for the winter herring fishing on the West Coast, and, if it is to cope with 

 the increased fleet of steam drifters now at work, harbour extension and 

 better facilities for landing fish are necessary. 



The fishermen belonging to the district are now in good circumstances. 

 There were fewer restrictions during the war as regards fishing than in 

 other districts, and the class of boats owned by the local men being of no 

 service to the Admiralty, fishing operations were carried on with little or 

 no interruption. Difficulty was experienced in manning the boats as the 

 men were called up, but nearly all the motor boats managed to keep going. 

 With the return of the men the boats are now fully manned, and a number 

 of those who took to fishing during the war intend to continue at it. As 

 showing the development that has taken place in the local fleet, it may be 

 stated that the number of motor boats was 29 in 1914 and is now 86. More 

 labour is now available for work in connection with the industry ashore, 

 and on the whole the prospects of the fishing community in this district 

 are good. The winter herring fishing occurs at a time when there is little 



