of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



229 



During the spring of the year some 12 to 14 crews worked small-lines 

 from Mallaig, with moderate results. Shots of from 3 to 15 boxes were 

 secured, but haddocks were not so plentiful as in the preceding year, and 

 prices generally ruled rather low. 



Cod-net fishing in this district during 1911 was attended with poor 

 results, and the returns show a decided decline. 



The shell-fish returns show a considerable falling off in value. 



Trawling operations were practically confined to four Granton boats 

 working between Oban and Glasgow during the months April to August. 

 The landings show a very decided decrease, largely attributable to the scarcity 

 of fish on the usual grounds. 



In furtherance of their scheme of development at Oban, the Caledonian 

 Railway Company have decided to erect two kippering houses on their own 

 ground. The plans for these have already been passed, and the building 

 contracts let. They are expected to be ready for occupancy before the early 

 summer fishing. 



The Railway Company interested at Mallaig have also completed during 

 the year a large extension of the fish table there in order to meet the growing 

 demands for accommodation. This addition, which is laid down in concrete 

 contiguous to the previous structure, is approximately 120 by 100 feet, and 

 will help to relieve the congestion hitherto experienced. 



The barometer at Mallaig continues in good order. 



Fishery Office, John Glen, 



Oban, 6th January 1912. Fishery Officer. 



Campbeltown District. 



The total quantity and value of fish landed in this district compares 

 favourably with the totals for the previous year, wholly owing to the large 

 increase in the catch of herrings in district waters. When contrasted with 

 the figures for 1910, the increase, excluding shell-fish, amounts to 40,711 

 cwts. and .£9763 in the quantity and value respectively. Shell-fish, however, 

 show a decrease in value of £269. 



The means of capture employed were practically the same as in 1910, and 

 although a decrease took place in the number of boats belonging to the 

 district, the catching power was not affected, as the boats cancelled from the 

 register had either been little in use for years past, or had become unsea- 

 worthy. 



The herring fishing, as usual, occupied the attention of most of the 

 district fishermen during the greater part of the year. The fishing, 

 which was commenced in January, was continued right on to December. 

 The catch during the first five months of the year was exceptionally 

 poor, the quality unsatisfactory, and consequently prices were unremu- 

 nerative. An improvement took place towards the end of May, and 

 in June excellent catches were obtained. The quality, how 7 ever, was not up 

 to the usual standard, and buyers would only take limited supplies at 

 moderate prices. The fishing continued fairly successful until the latter end 

 of July, when most of the district crews proceeded to the Ayrshire coast, 

 where they prosecuted the fishing during the month of August with fair 

 success. On returning to district waters in September, the fishing was again 

 prosecuted successfully for two months, the month of October yielding the 

 most remunerative returns of the year. Unfortunately, stormy weather 

 interrupted fishing operations for six weeks in succession — from the beginning 

 of November till about the middle of December. The herring shoals, how- 

 ever, remained on the local fishing grounds, and were located immediately 

 after the weather settled, good catches being obtained until the end of the 

 year. The quality in September and October was excellent, but during the 



