of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



189 



The usual number of women — about 2500 — were also engaged as gutters and 

 packers in connection with the various herring fisheries. 



In Baira district the herring fishery continues to be an interesting and 

 speculative branch of the industry. When the quality is really good curers 

 do not hesitate to pay high prices, knowing well from experience 

 that the returns from St. Petersburg may range up to five and six pounds 

 sterling per barrel. The herrings for which those high prices are obtainable 

 are caught on the Atlantic side of the island, Unfortunately, few of these 

 were caught during the year under review. The fleet engaged during the 

 principal part of the year — May and June — varied from 40 to 60 steam, and 

 40 to 100 sail. As in the preceding year, fair takes were got during the 

 month of August, in which the district crews largely participated. At the 

 close of the year the catch amounted to 32,000 crans, at an average price of 

 24s. per cran, as compared with 39,631 crans, at an average price of 23s. per 

 cran, in 1910. While the East Coast craft remained, the range of fishing 

 operations was extensive, and the best takes were usually brought in from 

 the neighbourhood of Skerryvore. The district boats generally fished in 

 the Minch, and for the season their earnings ranged from £100 to £300 per 

 crew. The line fisheries of the district were indifferently prosecuted by 

 local fishermen, and meagre results obtained. In previous years steam liners 

 from the East Coast fishing in these waters and off Barra had during 

 the spring and autumn months usually secured big takes of cod, ling, etc. 

 There was a slight decrease in the value of the shell fisheries, chiefly in 

 lobsters. The annual value of these varies little, and generally ranges from 

 £6000 to £7000. 



As in the preceding year, poor results were obtained at herring fishing in 

 Loch Broom district. By the beginning of the season — in October- — a 

 number of stranger crews had arrived, and good takes were occasionally got 

 off Gairloch and in Lochewe, but the total for the year amounted to only 

 6000 crans. The failure was most apparent at Ullapool, where only 1000 

 crans were landed, against 5789 in 1910, 12,538 in 1909, and 41,500 in 

 1908. The respective values of the white and shell fisheries range from 

 £4000 to £5000, and neither varies much annually. A considerable number 

 of the district fishermen were employed as hired men on board East Coast 

 craft during the progress of the various herring fishings, while others have 

 become expert yachtsmen, and are in demand during the summer months. 



In Loch Carron and Skye district the herring fishing was prosecuted with 

 good success during the first and last three months of the year. Mackerel 

 were also fairly plentiful during the summer months. The values of the 

 white and shell fisheries generally range from £5000 and £6000 respectively, 

 and vary little annually. A much larger portion of the catch was cured at 

 Kyle of Lochalsh than hitherto. As in the preceding year, a large portion 

 of those caught in Loch Snizort was landed at Uig, roused into barrels, and 

 shipped to Stornoway to be cured and exported. By. another season it is 

 expected that facilities will be provided at Uig for curing the herrings 

 caught in the neighbourhood. During the last quarter of the year a number 

 of large sailing boats from the East Coast, formerly employed in the English 

 herring fishing at this period of the year, fished from Uig. Those large 

 boats are unsuitable for narrow waters, and until they are furnished with 

 motor power the fishing cannot be prosecuted to the best advantage. 



In Fort- William district the various fisheries were prosecuted with good 

 success, especially during the first quarter of the year. Owing to the 

 failure of the herring fishing in the lochs of the district, and the scarcity of 

 white fish in sheltered parts, the district or crofter fishermen have practically 

 ceased to engage in any branch of the industry other than shell-fish 

 fishing, chiefly for lobsters, the annual value of which amounts to about 

 £3000. The craft engaged in the principal fisheries of the district came 

 from the East Coast, and the range of fishing operations was extensive. 



