of the Fisiiery Board for Scotland, 



60 



number of lobsters caught was also slightly greater, but the value was less 

 by £16. 



More herrings were cured gutted than in the previous year, but the 

 quality of those caught in the Clyde did not permit of this branch of the 

 industry being systematically carried on. There was also a slight increase 

 in the quantity of herrings kippered by local curers. 



In addition to those bought locally, fair quantities of cod, ling, etc., 

 imported in a wet salted state, were cured dried in the district. 



With increased shipping facilities, the quantities of cured herrings, 

 cod-fish, etc., exported were considerably greater than during the past few 

 years. 



America, Canada, and Ireland were the countries to which cured herrings 

 were sent, and Spain and Portugal, Ireland, and South America received 

 most of the cured cod-fish. 



Considerable quantities of practically all kinds of fish were regularly 

 received at Glasgow market and sold for distribution throughout the 

 city and surrounding neighbourhood, the total number of packages 

 which passed through the market during the year being reckoned to be 

 fully 400,000 more than in 1918. A certain amount of inconvenience was 

 experienced in bringing the fish to market during the railway strike at the 

 end of September and early October, but, fortunately, the strike was of 

 short duration, and the difficulties were overcome by utilising motor 

 transport. 



Boatbuilding was practically at a standstill, as most of the yards in the 

 district were fully employed otherwise. 



One motor boat for Ballantrae district was completed and lamiched 

 from one of the smaller yards. 



Comparatively little loss of or damage to fishing gear was sustained by 

 local crews. 



With the return of men from military and naval service most of the 

 firms engaged in the fishing industry have been able to make up their 

 staffs of workers for present-day requirements. 



Wm. Nisbet, 

 Fishery Officer. 



Fishery Office, 

 Glasgow, 2Sth January 1920. 



Ballantrae District. 



During the year 1919 the work of reconstruction, and the resettlement 

 of the large number of fishermen who were on war service in their peace- 

 time vocation. has been fairly successfully accomplished in this district. 

 Practically all. the men who were on service have now returned to their 

 pre-war occupation, and have been readily absorbed in the craft awaiting 

 their arrival at the several creeks. To effect this a few of the war-time 

 fishermen had to give place and return to their former employment, but, 

 in some of the more important creeks, notably at Aim an and Dunurc, 

 the fleets were increased sufficiently to provide berths for every man 

 returning. 



Perhaps the principal feature of the year was the decided fall in the 

 average value of herrings, due to the poor quality of the fish landed 

 subsequent to the Stranraer fishing, and the conti'ol of prices, which was 

 not in operation in the early months of 1918. . The average value w^orks 

 out at 78s. 6d. per cran, against 135s. 4d. for the previous year. 



The Means of Capture Returns do not show much alteration as regards 

 the number of boats and extent of gear, although the fleets at some of 



