230 



Appendices to Thirtieth Annual Report 



first eight months of the year it was rarely satisfactory. The fishing was 

 confined chiefly to Kilbrannan Sound, from Skipness to Kildalloig Bay on 

 the Kintyre shore, and from Machrie Bay to Brown Head on the Arran shore. 



Good earnings were made by district crews on the Ayrshire coast at 

 different periods throughout the year, but the opening of Ballantrae Bank to 

 seine-net fishing yielded no results, as stormy weather prevailed during the 

 whole of the period when successful operations were anticipated. 



The drift-net fishing was again a comparative failure, and the quality of 

 the herrings landed by the drift-net crews was extremely poor. Only four 

 crews proceeded to the northern lochs, where they met with fair success. Few 

 catches were landed by steam drifters at Campbeltown as compared with 

 the previous year, the total being 339 crans, valued at £202. The average 

 price per cran for the year was 17s. Id., as compared with 17s. per cran in 

 1910, and 20s. per cran in 1909. 



Great line fishing was carried on with fair results, chiefly during the 

 months of March and April. At Gighathe catch was less than in 1910, the 

 cause of the decrease being unsettled weather ; but at Campbeltown the catch 

 was more satisfactory, and the total results for the year are similar to those 

 of the previous year. The saithe fishing at the Mull of Kintyre was carried 

 on successfully during the few weeks it lasted, the results being considerably 

 better than in 1910. 



The catch by small lines was scarcely so good as during the previous year, 

 but the catch is regulated to a considerable extent by the number of crews 

 employed during the early spring months. During the greater part of the 

 year it is only prosecuted by a few crews of old fishermen, who barely supply 

 the local demand. 



Plaice shows a considerable falling off as compared with the previous 

 year, owing to fewer crews having been engaged at the fishing during the 

 autumn months, in consequence of the success of the herring fishing during 

 that period. 



Most of the herrings caught in the district were conveyed by buying 

 steamers direct to Glasgow from the fishing grounds, the steamers attending 

 the fleet during the greater part of the year when herring fishing was being 

 prosecuted. 



Herring curing was carried on at Campbeltown on a more extensive scale 

 than for some years past, and cod and saithe were cured at Gigha, Portna- 

 haven, and Mull of Kintyre. 



The success of the auxiliary motor was maintained during the year, eight 

 new engines being installed into local craft. Fishermen now recognise the 

 fact that without motor propulsion sailing boats are fast becoming out of 

 date, and cannot hope to compete alongside motor-propelled boats. Further 

 developments in this direction are assured. 



Boat-building was at a standstill, no orders being placed with builders 

 within the limits of the district. 



The loss of and damage to boats and fishing material was heavier than 

 usual, and amounted to <£634. 



Five lives were lost during tlie course of the year, four through the 

 foundering of one of the district motor boats and one by falling overboard. 



Fishery Office, Munro Johnston, 



Campbeltown, \0th January 1912. Fishery Officer. 



Inveraray District, 



The depression experienced in connection with the fisheries of this district 

 since 1904 continued throughout the year under review. The total catch 

 (exclusive of shell-fish) was 18,894 cwts., valued at .£4203, which shows a 

 falling off of 22,592 cwts. and £6564 respectively wheu compared with the 



