Fishery Board for Scotland, 



xlv 



although the gross catch last year was about 3000 crans more than 

 in 1884. From 20 to 185 boats were employed during 1885, and Boats engaged, 

 the quantity of herrings cured was 3673 barrels. The rest of the Barrels cmed, 

 catch was disposed of fresh. Prices ranged from 8s. to 45s. per 

 cran. The fishing commenced in June — a fortnight earlier than ^^^^^^^^^ 

 usual — and continued till December. At first, shoals of small FiSg! 

 herrings were found upon the Bute Coast, but during the rest 

 of the season the fish landed were of a larger size. Heavy 

 takes were occasionally got with seine-nets. The two most success- 

 ful seine-net boats, having together crews of eight men, sold their 

 season's catch for £520, and the most successful drift-net boat, 

 having four men, got £165 for its fishing. Herrings were captured 

 during the season in Loch Long, Loch Striven, The Kyles of Bute, Fishing 

 the Arran Coast, between Bute and the Cumbraes, and on the ^"^o^^*^^- 

 Ayrshire coast. Fourteen steamers were occasionally employed 

 among the fleet, buying the herrings for the home markets. Six Curing 

 curing vessels were fitted out in the district for the herring fishery. 



Greenock District. 



From Glasgow, westwards, on tlie north side of the River Clyde, to Roseneath Boundary of 

 Point, both inclusive, including Gareloch ; on the south and east side of District, 

 the River and Firth of Clyde to Ayr, exclusive, including the Cumbraes. 



District Fishery Office — Greenock :.f-|Trr ?9T 'vfT 



In the Greenock district the herring fishing of 1885 was more l^g^^^^f^^^ 

 successful than it had been for some years. The number of barrels Barrels cured, 

 cured was 8813, as against 4129J in 1884. The fishing began in 

 May, and was continued till the close of the year, but comparatively 

 few herrings appeared in the district till November, and only a 

 limited number of boats was engaged before that time. In November Number of 

 large shoals of excellent herrings came to the Ayrshire coast, quite particulars 

 close to the shore. The number of boats then employed was 230, of Fishing, 

 some of which used seine or circle-nets, and fishing operations were 

 carried on with much energy for several weeks. The herrings 

 generally were of good quality, and they always commanded high Qimiityand 

 prices for consumption in a fresh state, averaging about 30s. per HeSLg^ 

 cran. The principal fishing stations were Largs, Millport, Irvine, Fishing' 

 Saltcoats, and Ardrossan. Four curing vessels were fitted out for stations, 

 the herring fishery during the year. 



mmY. r. . 



Ballantrae District. 



From Ayr to Sark River, Solway Firth, both inclusive. Boundary of 



i . District. 



District Fishery Office — -Girvan. 



Ballantrae district in particularly distinguished for its winter winter and 

 herring fishery. It has also a summer herring fishery, but the I'i^^P^^ 

 former is by far the more valuable of the two. During last winter 

 411 boats were employed in fishing; while in summer there were Boats engaged, 

 only 70. The winter fishing began on 1st January, and continued 

 till the end of March. Three modes of capturing herrings are Three modes 

 practised in this district, namely : — by drift-nets ; by seine or .circle- h^^jJ?^"^^^ 



