of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



6? 



very scarce except in the northern locha, where practically half of the 

 total catch was secured. There was, however, quite an abundance of 

 herrings quite close to the coast, running from just north of Stoer Head 

 to south of Rhuda Rea, dur ng the first quarter of the year. The weather 

 was too rough for second-class skiffs to work, and the operations were 

 confined to large East Coast boats which ran their catches to Kyle, Mallaig, 

 and Stornoway, except a few who came to Ullapool with light shots when 

 the weather would not permit of their go ng elsewhere. Herrings accounted 

 for more than the whole decrease in the total catch, but the catch of other 

 white fish by nets shows a large increase and reduces the leeway consider- 

 ably. Prices were, however, much higher, especially for cod, haddock, 

 saithe, eels, and skate, so that while the year's catch shows a decrease 

 of 7564 cwts. the total value is better by £6777, and when the comparison 

 includes shell-fish the increase is £10,611. When compared with the 

 figures for the pre-war year 1913, the total catch for the past year is 

 2258 cwts. short, whereas the total value shows an increase of £18,697, and 

 including shell-fish an increase of £20,332. The general results of the 

 year's operations have thus been very satisfactory for the fishermen 

 engaged. 



The only noteworthy change in the Means of Capture Returns is the 

 addition of 4 boats to the motor fishing fleet. Two second-class sailing 

 skiffs had " Kelvin " engines of 12-14 h.p. installed, and another of the 

 same class had a second-hand " Kelvin " of 8-10 h.p. fitted, while a 

 " scaffie " of 32-feet keel had a " Gleniffer " engine, of 18-22 h.p. installed. 



Herring fishing in the southern half of the district was a complete 

 failure, and in the northern half the best results were obtained in Loch 

 lnchard and Loch Laxford during January, October, November, and 

 December. During these months the fishermen belonging to the localities 

 mentioned made splendid earnings, which would average £220 per boat 

 with 4 of a crew. The shoals of herrings were dense, and as many as 

 41 crans were on one occasion secured by a small boat of 17 -feet keel 

 with 7 nets. The quality during January was mixed, but in the last 

 three months it was very good. Part of the catch was purchased by a 

 firm at Lochclash for curing, but the bulk was purchased by carrying 

 vessels and taken to Kyle, Mallaig, and Stornoway at prices ranging from 

 40s. to 70s. The total catch recorded from these lochs was 2652 crans, 

 but in addition to these a considerable quantity was sold to steam drifters 

 and motor boats at from 30s. to 60s. per cran, while others agreed to 

 accept half the price realised at the port of delivery. Nothing was done 

 at Lochinver until October, when the local boats had a splendid week's 

 fishing at the entrance to the loch. Occasional landings were made at 

 Ullapool, principally in February, by East Coast boats which were operating 

 in the Minch, but this took place only when the boats could not make a 

 passage to other ports. The total landed in the first three months was 

 1019 crans at from 15s. to 40s., or an average of 23s. 3d. per cran. Very 

 little was done in the summer months. The total catch of herrings for 

 the district was 5577 crans, against 8477 crans for 1917. Quality on the 

 whole was satisfactory, but as most of the herrings had to be purchased 

 by carrying vessels and taken to other ports the prices realised were low 

 in comparison with those ruling in other districts, the range being from 

 15s. to 70s. per cran and the average 34s. 9d. per cran, a decrease of 

 Is. 7d. per cran from that of 1917. 



The annual cod and saithe fishing by nets conducted in the spring 

 from Badachro gave splendid results to fishermen, the earnings being far 

 in advance of anything ever obtained at this fishing. Operations were 

 late in commencing owing to the difficulty in getting crews, but a fleet of 

 22 boats eventually assembled as compared with 30 in 1913. Fish were 



