of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



89 



The bulk of the herring catch was landed at Fairlie, from which 

 port admirable railway facilities are available. Although the herring 

 fishing was then comparatively light, the heaviest landings occurred 

 towards the end of May and beginning of June, owing chiefly to the 

 inadequacy of carrying facilities from the fishing grounds during the 

 coal stoppage. 



The fishing grounds at the beginning of the year were between the 

 Ayrshire coast and the south east of Arran, but the shoals gradually 

 moved up the Kilbrannan Sound until Loch Fyne was reached towards 

 the end of the year. Very heavy landings were then effected, and on two 

 occasions catches were so heavy that the carriers were unable to cope 

 with the supplies, and many vessels proceeded to Fairlie, Gourock and 

 Glasgow and there delivered their shots at comparatively low prices. 



During October a Fleetwood trawler landed a shot of herrings of 

 good quality at Glasgow from off the Welsh coast, but as Loch Fyne 

 herrings were then on the market, prices for the trawled herrings were 

 not remunerative. 



The net and line fishing for white fish received very little attention, 

 and the greater part of the landings was retailed locally. 



Ballantrae. — During the year a very considerable number of boats 

 changed hands within the district, while three of the best class motor 

 boats were sold from Girvan to Campbeltown. 



As heretofore the best class of boats from Ayr to Girvan devoted 

 most of their time to herring fishing. During January operations were 

 carried on in Kilbrannan Sound, but were much interrupted by stormy 

 weather. Early in February herrings were located on the Ayrshire 

 coast, and some fair results obtained for a short time. Later fishermen 

 divided their time between Ballantrae Bank, where results were poor and 

 partial owing to adverse weather, and the coastal grounds, on which a 

 moderately successful fishing was secured. The herrings taken on the 

 Bank were very ripe and unsuitable for long transit, while those taken 

 on the coast were smaller and undeveloped in milt and roe. Herring 

 fishing in Loch Ryan, although energetically followed for some weeks 

 with seine and trammel nets, was unproductive, and the visiting fleet from 

 Campbeltown and Loch Fyne had a very unprofitable voyage. Little 

 was done during March, but in April dry spent herrings were located off 

 the coast ; the demand, however, was exceedingly limited, and prices 

 frequently fell to Is. per quarter cran basket, causing operations to be 

 suspended for a day or so at a time. The quality thereafter improved, 

 and as landings were fair a scheme of motor transport from Girvan to 

 Glasgow was inaugurated. On the arrival of the boats late in the 

 evening or very early in the morning, the catches were disposed of and 

 despatched by motor lorries to Glasgow, reaching the market before 

 8 a.m., a3 against 10 a.m. or later by the first train. The venture proved 

 successful and is likely to be repeated. Fair results were obtained until 

 the end of Jun?, except when prices fell on account of heavy landings. 

 From July to September operations were energetically pursued but, results 

 were poor, both then and in the following months when the local fleet 

 operated mostly in other districts. 



During February, March and April great-lining was prosecuted from 

 Girvan and Stranraer, principally by East Coast motor boats. 



At Stranraer 4 large and 2 small boats were engaged, mostly with 

 very poor results. Later 2 steamers arrived and worked for a short period 

 with better success, but the coal stoppage precipitated their departure. 

 The best results were secured during the latter part of the season, when 

 most of the motor boats had abandoned the venture. Financial results 



Q 



