of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



231 



figures for the previous year. The failure of the herring fishing was again 

 responsible for this state of matters, and as prices for herrings were much 

 below the average, the monetary returns are about the lowest on record. 



The means of capture returns, in sympathy with the decline in the 

 fisheries, also exhibit a decrease. During the year 25 boats were struck off 

 the register, while only six new certificates were issued. There are also 

 corresponding decreases in the number of fishermen belonging to the 

 district, and the area of netting, but the length of lines in use shows little 

 change. 



The outstanding feature in connection with the means of capture was the 

 comparatively large addition to the motor fishing fleet. At the close of the 

 year there were 30 motor boats belonging to the district, an increase of 22 

 when contrasted with the figures for the preceding year. 



The results at herring fishing, on which the majority of the fishermen 

 almost entirely depend, were extremely disappointing. After the welcome 

 improvement last year, it was hoped that matters had at last taken a favour- 

 able turn, and that Lochfyne would, to a certain extent at least, gradually 

 regain the position it formerly held in the herring fishing industry. 

 Unfortunately these hopes were not realised, for, instead of advancing, the 

 catch exhibited a decrease of fully 50 per cent, when compared with that of 

 the preceding year. 



The failure cannot altogether be attributed to scarcity of herrings, as at 

 certain periods these appeared to be fairly plentiful, especially in the lower 

 reaches of the loch. They almost invariably kept to mid-channel, however, 

 where the chance of capture by seine-nets was much less than in the 

 shallower waters near the shore. 



The season may be said to have lasted for only three months, for although 

 a few crews were at work in April, operations did not become general until 

 May. The fleet numbered 110 boats, as compared with 124 in 1910. 

 During May light takes were secured between Tarbert and Skipness, and in 

 the vicinity of Skate Island, but the quality of the herrings was so inferior 

 that there was practically no demand for them, and the fishing was not 

 prosecuted so regularly as it otherwise would have been. Indeed, notwith- 

 standing the shortage in the catch at this date, considerable quantities of 

 these herrings had to be thrown overboard. 



With the event of June matters did not improve. It looked as if the 

 shoal had moved south, for few fish were located until towards the end of 

 the month, when they again appeared. Operations were thereafter carried on 

 with light and irregular results until the end of July, when the majority of 

 the crews left for Campbeltown and Rothesay districts. 



The quality throughout the season was inferior, the fish being of a soft, 

 oily nature, and prices varied from 4s. to 38s. per cran. 



The herrings did not, as they did in 1910, frequent the upper reaches, and 

 the most productive grounds were those between Tarbert and Skipness. 



In December, herrings entered Lochkylesport, a small inlet on the 

 western seaboard of the district. The shoal must have been pretty extensive, 

 for takes ranging up to 40 crans were secured. Unfortunately, the loch 

 is exposed to various winds, and operations can only be carried on under the 

 most favourable conditions. There is also no landing accommodation, and 

 in these circumstances it is not surprising that only from six to eight 

 crews took part in the fishing. The bulk of the catch was taken to 

 Ardrishaig via the Crinan Canal. The herrings were of mixed quality, and 

 sold at from 9s. to 16s. per cran. Had the weather conditions been favour- 

 able the landings from this quarter would have been considerably 

 augmented. 



Curing operations, which in recent years have been conducted on 

 a very limited scale, were again confined to Tarbert and Ardrishaig. 

 The number of barrels treated in this manner was 637, as compared with 



