234 



Appendices to Thirtieth Annual Report 



The fishing barometers, which are yearly examined, are in good order, and 

 they are much appreciated by the fishermen. 



In accordance with the Board's orders, the headquarters of the district 

 were at last Whitsunday term removed to Glasgow. 



There is no progress to report in connection with the fisheries of this 

 district during the past year, but rather a falling off in the quantity of fish 

 landed. 



Little change has taken place in the means of capture, further than that 

 there are now four motor fishing boats, three at Irvine and 1 at Saltcoats. 

 Last year there was none. 



Small-line fishing was of little importance, as only a few small boats at 

 Irvine, Largs, Saltcoats, and Millport fished with anything like regularity, 

 while the catches were very light, consisting generally of medium-sized 

 haddocks, codlings, whitings, and plaice, which were mostly retailed in the 

 localities where they were landed. At other stations this fishing was very 

 trifling. 



Four boats also worked long lines, two at Saltcoats and two at Largs, 

 where fair catches of eels and skate were sometimes landed, and despatched 

 for the most part to English markets. At Largs a few cod were taken by 

 nets. 



At Irvine herring fishing was begun early in July, and a regular fishing 

 continued till nearly the middle of October, the catches ranging up to 29 

 crans. The fishing grounds were chiefly off Irvine and towards the east 

 side of the Arran coast. The herrings were, as a rule, of fair quality and 

 medium size, and realised from about 20s. to 30s. per cran. Some were 

 retailed locally, but the bulk was sent off to market in a fresh state. The 

 earnings of the drift and seine net crews engaged would vary from about 

 £60 to £1 00 each. , 



Some fair catches of herrings were also taken off West Kilbride and 

 Ardrossan during August, these fish being purchased chiefly at sea by 

 buying steamers. Several catches were also landed at Saltcoats from the 

 same fishing ground, the highest being 38 crans. At other stations herring 

 fishing was of very little account. 



In January two steam drifters landed at Glasgow 137 and 104 crans of 

 herrings respectively taken off Loch Swilly. A portion of these catches 

 sold at the comparatively low rate of 15s. per cran, but the greater part 

 fetched from 40s. to 55s. Several cargoes of fresh herrings in barrels and 

 boxes were also brought from Downings Bay by local buying steamers to 

 Glasgow, where they were partly cured, partly kippered, and partly disposed 

 of fresh by local curers. Two steam trawlers also landed at Glasgow in 

 September 240 and 100 crans of herrings respectively, which were caught 

 off the mouth of the Bristol Channel, a distance of about 300 miles. The 

 fish, which were of medium size, were in fair condition considering the 

 long distance they were carried, and sold at from 16s. to 20s. a cran. 



A shot of 66 crans of mackerel was landed at Glasgow about the latter 

 end of December which were caught off Horn Head, on the Irish coast 

 The greater part sold at 4s. a quarter cran box, but a portion was taken 

 away as manure. 



Fishery Office, 2 Oswald Street, 

 Glasgow, 5th January 1912. 



Frederick Fraser, 



Fishery Officer. 



Greenock District. 



