222 



Appendices to Thirtieth Annual Report 



terminated on the 4th of March, with a shortage of 4750 crans as compared 

 with the preceding season. The following figures show the catch for five 

 years : — 



1907 . . . . 61,848 crans. 



1908 50,566 „ 



1909 38,518 „ 



1910 25,018 „ 



1911 18,411 „ 



The principal fishing grounds during the early part of the season were 

 Broadbay and the Minch. The bulk of the catch was brought from the 

 fishing grounds in the vicinity of Skerry vore, 120 miles distant, as well as 

 from the North of Ireland fishing grounds, distant 200 miles. The fleet was 

 less than in 1910. Steam vessels, on the whole, had poor earnings, for 

 although a limited number grossed from .£300 to .£350, the average was 

 .£182. One motor boat had £320, which was exceptional. 



The early summer herring fishing catch from May to June was less than for 

 many past seasons. The following figures show the results for five years : — 



1907 25,063 crans. 



1908 20,106 „ 



1909 30,605 „ 



1910 15,038 „ 



1911 9,380 „ 



Fifty-six steam and 94 sail boats were engaged in fishing for a short 

 period only. By the 20th of May the fleet began to dwindle, many leaving 

 for Shetland and the East Coast. Although the season closed, practically, 

 towards the end of June, local and other boats continued at intervals to fish 

 till towards the end of the year. Six thousand seven hundred and fifty-three 

 crans of herrings, roused in barrels, were brought from Loch Snizort, in 

 Skye, by carrying vessels. These were cured for export. 



The total quantity of fish landed during the year, excluding herrings 

 roused in barrels brought from other districts, was 256,308 cwts., valued at 

 £74,120, these figures representing a decrease of 52,556 cwts. in quantity 

 and £18,241 in value as compared with the figures for 1910. The value of 

 shell-fish landed was £4239, or £174 less than in 1910. Motor boats landed 

 a total of 2885 cwts. of herrings, valued at £844. 



At line fishing, light catches were the rule so far as cod and ling were 

 concerned, especially so in the Valtos and Bernera sections of the district. 

 Fewer boats were employed at Port of Ness than usual, the fishermen 

 preferring to proceed elsewhere for employment in connection with fishing. 

 Several boats' crews cured on their own account small quantities of ling 

 during the summer months, which they disposed of to local buyers. 



Haddocks were merely fished for local consumption when required. There 

 was no demand for this fish outside the island, and, consequently, this 

 branch of fishing did not develop. 



Happily there was no loss of life in connection with the fisheries during 

 the year. 



Alex. Sutherland, 

 Fishery Office, Fishery Officer. 



Stornoway, 10th January 1912. 



Barra District. 



In general the fisheries of this district during 1911 were less successful 

 than in the preceding year. The total quantity and value of fish landed 

 amounted to 124,961 cwts. and £41,698, exclusive of shell-fish, the value of 



