of the Fishery Board for Scotland 



83 



cran by the end of the month. Steam drifters were held up on the 

 East Coast by the coal stoppage, and only the local motor boats and five 

 sail boats were at work, averaging two to five crans daily from all over 

 the Minch. Prices consequently advanced, reaching 122s. per cran at 

 the end of June. Curing for Hamburg stopped at the end of May, but 

 American buyers then took all the cure at 120s. to 130s. per two half 

 barrels. The total cure to the end of June amounted to 2734 barrels, 

 against 4463 barrels in the previous year. The boats in the six weeks* 

 fishing did fairly well, as high prices compensated for light catches. 

 The sail boats, which carry 60 nets, averaged £400, and the motor boats, 

 which are smaller and carry 30 to 40 nets, about £200. 



In July, on the termination of the coal stoppage, the steam drifters 

 began to arrive, but mackerel and also salps had appeared on the 

 grounds and herrings were scarce. Early in August herrings appeared 

 in shoals in two different areas, 8 to 10 miles south of Barra Head and 

 on Lochmaddy Bank. The best shot of 122 crans came from the latter 

 and made 98s. per cran, which was about the average price for the first 

 part of the month. In the middle of August the American market 

 collapsed, and fresh prices fell to 15s. to 35s. per cran. Curers then 

 consigned to Hamburg, but the German exchange fell, and the consign- 

 ments had to be stored, and the ultimate outcome of the season was 

 doubtful. 



The steam drifters working at Castlebay averaged £745 for the six 

 weeks' fishing. The local motor boats earned little in the late season, 

 barely clearing expenses. 



Four curing stations, employing 22 crews of women, were opened at 

 Lochmaddy, where there had been no herring fishing since 1908. The 

 total cure amounted to 4687 barrels. Owing to lack of coals and oil 

 the fleet was very migratory. The opening of new stations at various 

 creeks indicates that the collapse of the Continental markets is not 

 seriously handicapping the industry in this district. 



The cured herrings were transported from the stations to the cargo 

 steamers by 5 flit-boats each manned by 3 men, whose individual 

 earnings for the season of 16 weeks averaged £70, but the flitting charges 

 were considered excessive. 



Small-line fishing, chiefly for plaice, is prosecuted only for home use. 



Lobster fishing was actively pursued, chiefly during summer. While 

 transport was restricted during the coal stoppage, lobsters were stored 

 in floating boxes, and after their long confinement very few withstood 

 the journey to London, so that returns to fishermen at that time were 

 almost nil, although they were much better later. 



An increase recorded in " unclassified " shell-fish reflects an increase 

 in the number of crofting families who are driven to gathering whelks, 

 for which 6s. to 8s. per cwt. net is realised. 



Loch Broom. — Herring fishing last year again proved an entire 

 disappointment. Cod-net fishing, conducted chiefly from Badachro, 

 was only apathetically prosecuted owing to depressed markets, scarcity 

 of fish and stormy weather, and landings were much restricted. Line 

 fish were often scarce, but the lobster fishery recorded fair results. 



A motor boat was, unfortunately, wrecked while at anchor, but 

 otherwise the decrease in the fishing fleet was entirely in sailing skiffs and 

 yawls, which were mostly wrecked or destroyed by gales. 



Crofter fishermen are reluctant to replace or repair lost or damaged 

 boats despite the recent fall in prices, and many have either wholly or 

 temporarily forsaken the sea. The low prices realised for fish have also 

 led many others to devote greater attention to their crofts. 



