of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



69 



most successfully prosecuted. The decrease was chiefly due to the 

 Admiralty's taking over Kyle pier in February, thereby bringing the 

 winter herring fishing at the port to a premature close. The value of 

 fish increased by £35,906 owing to the high prices prevailing. Shell-fish 

 also increased in value from £4985 to £7399. Herrings and hake are the 

 principal kinds showing a decrease in quantity, but all kinds increased 

 in value. 



The number of motor boats belonging to the district is now 78, an 

 increase of 8 during the year. Sailing boats decreased by 29, nearly all 

 being old boats unfit for use. The value of boats and gear shows a 

 considerable increase owing to the high prices of material. 



The winter herring fishing was very successful. Heavy takes were 

 obtained all along the coast from Handa Island to Ru Rea and landed 

 at Kyle. The fishing in Loch Snizort was also good. Operations con- 

 tinued in full swing until 16th February, when the Admiralty requirements 

 at Kyle had the effect of greatly reducing the railway facilities for the 

 despatch of fish. After that date only a limited supply was allowed to 

 be landed to keep the local firms employed. Most of the fleet had 

 therefore to land their catches at Mallaig or Oban, and the stranger buyers 

 left for other centres. The season closed at the end of March with a 

 total of 21,096 crans valued at £117,678, as compared with 27,270 crans 

 and £72,248 in 1917. Prices ranged up to £12 per cran, the average 

 being Ills. 6d. against 52s. last year. About 50 East Coast steam drifters 

 and motor boats were working from Kyle, and their earnings ranged 

 from £2000 to £5000. One vessel landed a shot of 196 crans, which 

 realised £1961 6s. for one night's fishing. Local motor boats' earnings 

 were from £200 to £800 with an average of £400. 



The summer herring fishing was again a failure. A few crans were 

 occasionally obtained in the Skye lochs and at Raasay. At the end of 

 November herrings were located in Loch Snizort, and for a month good 

 takes were got by a fair fleet of East Coast and local boats. Most of the 

 catches were landed at Kyle and sold at 126s. per cran. 



The great bulk of the herrings landed was freshed to other districts 

 and to England. Two thousand six hundred and sixty crans were 

 kippered at Kyle, and the total cured was 2260 barrels. 



Ground net fishing occupied the attention of 25 motor boats for the 

 first three and last two months of the year. Stormy weather greatly 

 hindered operations. The principal land of fish landed was saithe, but 

 fair takes of hake, lythe, and cod were occasionally obtained. Prices were 

 very high, and the earnings ranged from £300 to £500 per boat. 



Mackerel fishing was only prosecuted for a few weeks in the autumn 

 from Portree and Kyle. The results were considerably better than 

 last year. The average price increased from 15s. Id. to 26s. lid. per cwt. 



Lobster fishing was carried on from the creeks on the west side of 

 Skye with greater success than formerly. The number landed was 

 larger, and better prices were obtained. 



Line fishing shows little change as regards the quantity of fish, but 

 the value shows a large increase. Most of the fish caught at the smaller 

 creeks are consumed locally. At Kyle good catches of cod and saithe 

 were landed, and were despatched to Glasgow and the English markets. 



There were no lives lost in connection with the fisheries of the district. 



George Downie, 



Fishery Officer. 



Fishery Office, 

 Kyle, 16^ January 1919. 



