of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



225 



leaves the nett decrease for the year at 2907 cwts. and £2684 for white fish, 

 or of £2973 including shell-fish The average catch of white fish for the 

 past ten years (1901-10 inclusive) was 73,250 cwts. in quantity and £16,036 

 in value, with which the total of 38,692 cwts. and £9987 for 1911 makes a 

 far from favourable comparison. 



The means of capture returns show an increase of 4 boats and £516 in 

 value. Two large first-class, 6 second-class (skiffs), and 5 third-class or small 

 boats were added to the fleet during the year, and one sail boat had motor 

 power installed. A number of old third-class boats were struck off the 

 register. There is also an increase in the extent and value of netting used, 

 but this is counterbalanced by a decrease in lines, ropes, and creels, which 

 gives a nett decrease of £160 in the value of fishing gear. 



From Cape Wrath to Little Loch Broom the herring fishing was again a 

 failure, and at Lochewe and Gairloch the results, though showing increases 

 at both places on the returns for last year, can only be described as fair. 

 ~No attempt was made by the fishermen of Lochs Clash, Laxford, or Inchard 

 at fishing from these places, most of them finding berths as hired hands on 

 board East Coast boats. 



At Lochinver several attempts were made at herring fishing, but the 

 results were disappointing, the year's catch amounting to only 360 crans, a 

 large share of which was cured by the fishermen for home use. 



A few irregular shots of herrings were landed by local crews at Ullapool 

 during August and September, but October was well advanced before a real 

 trial was made at the fishing. The fleet, which did not number over 50 

 boats, was the smallest operating for years, and was made up chiefly of local 

 boats. A few days' light but regular fishings were got in the vicinity of the 

 islands at the entrance to Loch Broom, but the shoal, which was not a large 

 one, found its way into Lochewe, and, with the exception of a few shots 

 which were caught in Lochewe and Loch Snizort, nothing further was 

 landed at Ullapool. Quality was also poor, but notwithstanding this, prices 

 were good. Six firms were engaged in curing operations, and with the 

 purpose of keeping their workers employed, herrings were bought at a figure 

 on which the condition of the cured market did not promise a profitable 

 return. The total catch amounted to only 1000 crans, and the prices paid 

 for these when curing operations were going on ranged from 15s. to 28s. 6d. 

 per cran, and averaged 20s. 6d. per cran. One of the local crews was very 

 successful in earning £60 during the short fishing, but the others would not 

 average £10 per boat. 



Results at Lochewe were considerably better. During part of August 

 and September a fair fishing was landed. October was blank, but in 

 November operations were again successful, and the fleet at this time 

 numbered 100 boats, a few of which landed their herrings at Stornoway, 

 where better prices were obtained. The quality was similar to that got in 

 Loch Broom, but competition being less keen, prices were more reasonable, 

 and varied from 6s. to 20s. per cran, the average being 14s. 4d. per cran. 

 The total catch was 2406 crans. Curing operations were carried on by three 

 firms at Aultbea, who would have quite a satisfactory season's work. 



Operations at Badachro, Gairloch, commenced in July, and extended 

 through August, September, and October, during which time a total of 2225 

 crans of herrings and about 430 crans of mackerel were landed. In the 

 summer months only the small local fleet was engaged, but later on good 

 shots were landed by stranger crews from the fishing grounds off Skye. The 

 quality here was very variable, and prices fluctuated accordingly, the range 

 being from 7s. to 26s. per cran, with an average of 16s. 7 id. per cran. The 

 bulk of the catch was cured gutted for the Continental and home markets, 

 principally the latter, by four local and one Stornoway firm of fishcurers. 

 The fishermen of this section grossed up to £100 per boat at this fishing, 

 and, with their work at other places, their earnings for the year varied from 



