228 



Appendices to Thirtieth Annual Report 



is largely, if not wholly, accounted for by the large increase in the landings 

 of herrings, which are generally of low value in comparison with weight, and 

 the decrease in quantity of the higher-priced classes of fish. The increased 

 production noticed above was again confined to Mallaig and Oban. 



With the exception of an addition of two to the motor fleet, making five 

 in all, there is no change of interest in the means of capture returns. 



Following upon the comparative success experienced in 1910, a number of 

 steamers prosecuted the herring fishing from Mallaig during January and 

 February with fair results, nearly 7000 crans being landed. During the 

 early days operations were much interrupted by stormy weather, but better 

 landings were made later. The principal fishing grounds were on Coll Bank 

 and off Skerryvore. A good demand was experienced, and remunerative 

 prices ruled. 



At Oban, another effort was made to compete for a share in the landings 

 from West Coast waters. A start was made with the arrival of a drifter 

 with 66 crans from the Irish grounds on 5th January, which realised 27s. 

 per cran. Thereafter, almost daily, a few steamers put into port, either from 

 Irish or local grounds, a total landing of nearly 5000 crans for the two 

 months being the result. A considerable quantity of the Oban landings was 

 roused into railway trucks and sent to Yarmouth and Lowestoft. 



Again, about the 10th May, a fair fleet, composed principally of steamers, 

 commenced herring fishing off this coast, with Oban and Mallaig as com- 

 petitors for the landings, the latter place, however, getting by far the larger 

 share. Yet sufficient was done at the former port to demonstrate its 

 possibilities. Fishing from Dhuartach, in the south, to Dunvegan Head, 

 some fair results were secured. The quality was fairly good, and, for the 

 better stuff, high prices were realised. This is the first time that Oban has 

 entered into competition as a herring port during the early summer fishing, 

 and it is expected this fishing will develop. The average prices realised at 

 Mallaig during the winter and early summer fishings respectively were 17s. 

 and 20s. 5d., and at Oban for the corresponding seasons 13s. and 22s 5d. 

 per eran. During the remainder. of the year occasional shots of herrings 

 were landed at Mallaig from a few steamers operating on the West Coast. 



Three firms were engaged kippering at Mallaig, and consequently this 

 branch shows some expansion. The kippering establishment erected some 

 years ago, but never occupied, was during the year bought by a well-known 

 East Coast kippering firm, and utilised for the first time. 



Curing for the Continental markets was again confined to Mallaig, and a 

 decided expansion in this branch of the industry took place. There were no 

 direct exports, consignments being in small parcels by rail to Leith and 

 Glasgow for transhipment. 



No vessels were cleared from this district for curing at sea. This branch 

 was confined to a small parcel of ten barrels cured on board a vessel cleared 

 from Rothesay district. 



Greatl-line fishing in this district is now pretty much confined to Mallaig. 

 During the year under review it was again attended with considerable 

 success. The early days of the season were much interrupted by bad 

 weather, which curtailed landings in January, but with the advent of 

 February some heavy landings were made. This resulted in congested 

 markets and abnormally low prices, gross earnings being thus adversely 

 affected. Stormy weather again intervened, and toward the latter part of 

 the month prices advanced to almost famine level for eels and roker, as much 

 as 62s. and 42s. per score respectively being realised for these varieties. 

 Throughout the season some fine shots were landed, ranging up to 80 score, 

 and realising up to .£62. Gross earniugs generally were somewhat better 

 than during the previous year, ranging from £400 to over ,£700 for steamers, 

 with an average of about £550, while sail boats would average about £200 

 There were a iarge number of buyers, and competition was keen. 



