236 



Appendices to Thirtieth Annual Report 



Ballantrae District. 



The returns for 1911 show an increase in value of .£2664 and in quantity 

 of 10,469 cwts. as compared with the preceding year's figures. The herring 

 fishings were wholly accountable for the improvement. 



There again falls to be recorded a reduction in the number of boats on the 

 register, but most of the craft cancelled were practically worn out, and 

 consequently this reduction does not very materially affect the catching 

 power of the district fleet. Otherwise there is little change in the means of 

 capture returns. 



The winter herring fishing was more successfully prosecuted than during 

 1910, the returns showing an increase in value of .£1449, and in quantity of 

 1975 cwts. This fishing was begun in Lochryan in the first week of 

 January, and stormy weather put an end to operations about 1 1 th February. 

 The best week yielded 2126 crans, valued at £2027. Of the total catch 

 (4861 crans), 4624 crans were taken by seine-nets. As usual, when seine- 

 nets are employed the results were very irregular, the bulk of the catch 

 falling into the hands of a few crews. The Argyllshire fishermen were the 

 most successful. The quality was good, and a fair level of value was main- 

 tained, the prices averaging 19s. 2d. per cran, as against 17s. lOd. in year 

 1910. 



There was no herring fishing on Ballantrae Bank, but that herrings, as 

 usual, visited this once famous fishing ground is confirmed by the fact 

 that the Ballantrae fishermen's cod-nets were often coated with herring 

 spawn. 



The summer herring fishing commenced about the middle of May, and 

 continued with varying success until the second week in October, when it 

 entirely failed. There is little variation in the fishing grounds in this 

 district. The herrings seem to follow the same course year by year. At 

 first they are found along the Ayrshire coast, then later in the season they 

 are fished on the east coast of Arran. Early in the season the fish were of 

 very indifferent quality. Frequently the fishermen could not find a buyer, 

 so had to consign their catches to market themselves. Occasionally the 

 returns were barely sufficient to pay freight, etc. As time w T ent on, however, 

 quality and demand improved. From the 14th October till the 16th 

 December no body of herrings of any consequence could be found on the 

 coast. On the latter date a motor-boat and a sail-boat located a shoal near 

 the Head of Ayr, and captured 70 crans, which realised XI 82. This was 

 the best single stroke of the season. Evidently the shoal was not a large 

 one, but, at the same time, for a few days very good results were obtained. 

 During the period of slackness referred to the fishermen occupied themselves 

 at flounder net fishing, but only a poor wage was earned. When compared 

 with the previous year's figures the returns of herrings show an increase of 

 13,674 cwts. and £3798 in quantity and value respectively. The average 

 price for the year was 18s. Id., as against 17s. 5d. in 1910. The motor 

 boats proved superior to the sailing craft, and it is estimated that the 

 earnings of the former were 90 per cent, better than those of the latter. 



Only two East Coast steam liners made Stranraer their headquarters, as 

 against three in the preceding year. These two vessels grossed more money 

 than did the trio in 1910. One of the boats for 29 trips earned ,£623, 

 averaging fully £21 per shot, while the other grossed .£414 for 21 trips, the 

 average per trip being about £20. The best take realised £38. The catches 

 consisted mainly of skate, eels, and cod, skate being in the ascendency both 

 as regards quantity and value. 



The cod-net and great-line fishings were less productive than in 1910; 

 small-line fishing also suffered a decline. The falling off in the latter branch 

 is explained by the fact that more time was devoted to the capture of 



